Sapele Center For Development

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN SAPELE

by

Ekpeme Temiagin

The youths, we say, are the hope of our tomorrow, our future. They represent the energy, the creativity and potential that shape the future of any society.
One of the greatest strength of youth is the ability to dream and think beyond limitations. When properly supported, young people can become responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.
However, a troubling phenomenon is the recent level of substance abuse by our young ones which is really troubling and working at cross purpose with the assertions above, portraying a bleak or gloomy future for our youths.
More worrisome is the availability or the ease by which underage children have access to these illegal substances.
A study conducted among secondary school students in Sapele by a group of Academicians from Delta state University- Anthony Eduviere, Emuesiri Umukoro, {Pharmacology),Efe Ahama (Anatomy) Emuesiri Moke (Philosophy) and more revealed a prevalence rate of 19.4%, with substances like alcohol (13.97%), tramadol (10.79%), and rohypnol (3.81%) commonly abused.
The effects of this growing malaise are multidimensional, impacting on their health, education, manpower development, crime rate and psychological well-being of users who are majorly youths.
It has severe consequences on the physical health of young people as it increases the risk of diseases as it weakens the immune system, exposes users to infections such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases. It is also linked to poisoning, overdose, and even death.
It also damages vital organs of the bod as substances like alcohol and hard drugs can damage vital organs such as: liver (cirrhosis), brain (neurological impairment), heart (cardiovascular complications). The increasing rate of people with liver and kidney issues can be linked to the consumption of different chemicals by our Youths in the quest to ‘high’ or ‘jonz’.
Another adverse effect of substance abuse one can observe around Sapele is that it encourages risky behaviours such as the driving under the influence (DUI) which is the major cause of fatal accidents in the town as drug use impairs judgment and coordination to road accidents, violence, and premature death among youths and unsafe sexual practices, increasing the spread of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies
Another observable negative aspect is on Education as substance abuse significantly undermines academic performance and educational attainment and leads to poor academic performance as students who abuse drugs often experience reduced concentration, memory loss and lack of motivation. This negatively affects learning outcomes and examination performance. It also a factor behind many school dropout as addicted students skip classes, engage in truancy and eventually drop out of school.
It also contributes to the disruption in schools activities as it contributes to indiscipline, violence, cultism and peer influence, which weakens the overall educational system.
Inadvertently, it also affects the economic as it affects the availability of manpower and in some cases, the quality as youth represents the workforce and future development of Nigeria.
This generates to reduced productivity as Drug-dependent youths often lack focus and discipline, perform poorly at work, disregard employment opportunities and by this, reduces national productivity.
Substance abuse also contributes significantly to rising crime rates in Sapele as it is linked to vices such as armed robbery, theft, cultism, kidnapping and violence, militancy and community conflicts.
There is no gainsay that these phenomenon leads to Breakdown of Social Order such as family disintegration, loss of societal values and other the moral fabrics that holds society together
Last but not the least, is the Psychological Effects of substance abuse. It has profound effects on mental health and emotional stability, leading to mental disorders, :depression, anxiety, Psychosis, Schizophrenia-like symptoms, aside the addiction and Dependency, making it difficult to quit without intervention.
Substance abuse affects brain function, resulting in memory loss, poor decision-making, reduced intellectual ability and emotional Instability. Drug users often exhibit aggression, mood swings and low self-esteem
In Conclusion, substance abuse among young people in Sapele reflects a broader national crisis in Nigeria. Its adverse effects cut across health, education, economic productivity, crime, and psychological well-being. The high prevalence among adolescents highlights the urgent need for intervention or more youthcentric policies and implementation..
To address this issue, the following measures are necessary:
Eliminate all drug selling outlets in the town.
Public awareness campaigns targeting youths and communities
Incorporation of drug education into school curricula
Strengthening law enforcement against drug trafficking
Provision of rehabilitation and counseling services
Youth empowerment programs to reduce unemployment and idleness.
It is sad that many youths underestimate the long-term consequences of substance abuse on their future. So many great dreams and aspirations have been truncated before they took off by addictions to these substances.
More distressing is that the Society including the security organs have turned a blind eye to this menace raging through the town...
God help the youths of Sapele….

Ekpeme Temiagin is a Trustee of the Sapele Center For Development, a Not-for-Profit in Sapele Delta state promoting positive Institutional Changes and Policy Advocacy