WRITTEN BY EKWI AJIDE
The viability of any society rests on the shoulders of its youths, who are, often, bedeviled by the vices of the society.

Drug abuse, in recent times, is one of the greatest problems of both the developed and undeveloped countries alike, Nigeria inclusive. Drug abuse, which means excess use of chemical substances in any form to satisfy one’s emotion or feeling of ecstasy, according to findings, is the gateway to other forms of crimes like armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, violence during election, rape, exam malpractice, prostitution among others.
Drugs can, sometimes, be abused or misused when we use a substance for purposes other than what it was intended or using them more than was prescribed. Many homes, destinies and dreams have been shattered owing to substance abuse or misuse, hence the need for sensitization.
Today, unlike in the recent past, where people only abused hard drugs such as cannabis sativa (popularly known as Indian hemp or ‘Igbo’), cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, crack among other hard substances, the abuse of household commodities such as candies, coffee, bitter kola, nut meg, kola nuts, vanilla, bathing salt and perfume among others, call for worry.
With this new trend, it becomes easier to abuse and more difficult to resist as they may be difficult to ban but can readily be available in one’s kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, even without supervision and thereby defeating government’s efforts in checkmating drug abuse in our society.
Drug abuse is also the gate way to other health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, hallucinations, high blood pressure, seizures, loss of consciousness, temporary mental derangement or even death.
For these, there is dire need for all hands to be on deck in the war against drug abuse and trafficking. Religious leaders, community leaders and the general public must unite in this fight as the government, in spite of its doggedness in the war against drug abuse and peddling, cannot do it all alone.
There is therefore need for the establishment of a standard rehabilitation center as youths already addicted, need expert counseling and rehabilitation so they can become useful to themselves, their families and the society at large. The public, especially parents, must be aware of signs to look out for so as to nip substance abuse in the bud amongst their children and wards.
Though for the less observant or experienced, it may be difficult to readily detect those who have indulged in drug addiction. Experts are however of the view that some of the sure signs of substance abuse are: when the person is unusually withdrawn or evasive, loss of interest in school or church activities, deviant behaviours, poor physical and hygienic appearance, memory loss, body odours, dark lips and fingers as well as identification with drug culture such as slogan, music or clothing.
The damaging effects of drug on health is by no chance the only negativity with the behaviour as those who have drug challenges often have trouble with the law, are violent, encounter financial, family and social difficulties.
These notwithstanding, it will be crime against God and humanity if one is stigmatized for having drug problems or challenges. Thus, a drug dependent person should be seen and treated as a sick person and not as an outcast. Show love and care to that drug dependent person close to you because that is what he needs to become better, which in turn, leads to a better society with little or no crime.
In order to retain the safest state status in Anambra, it is our duty therefore, to gear all efforts towards catching them young for when the health and sanity of our youths are protected, the safety of our society is assured.

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