Experts and researchers have raised the alarm about the growing problem of substance abuse and the wide-ranging effects it has on public health, the economy, and social stability.
The Saturday Guardian said they spoke at the second Daniel Buba Colloquium at Taraba State University in Jalingo.
The conference, which was attended by academics, health professionals, and policymakers, included a number of paper presentations that were based on the theme of the conference: “Nature’s Gift and Nation Building: The Role of Leadership in Sustainable Development.”
Ambassador Tony Garba gave a talk called “Abuse and Its Effects in Society” in which he talked about substance abuse as the dangerous or harmful use of drugs and alcohol. He also said that it is still a huge public health and development issue.
Garba said that drug usage puts a lot of stress on people, families, and governments, and it also slows down national progress and productivity. He went on to say that the global problem with illegal drugs is caused by a number of things, such as changes in population, such age, gender, and fast urbanization.
He pointed out that cannabis is still the most popular illegal drug in Africa, with the highest rates of use in West and Central Africa, where they vary from 5.2 to 13.5 percent. Garba further said that amphetamine-type stimulants like methamphetamine and ecstasy are now the second most overused substance on the continent.
The diplomat also talked on how injecting drugs may be very bad for your health, like how sharing dirty needles and syringes can lead to high rates of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C infections.
Garba claimed that drug addiction hurts mental health, especially in young people, and can cause anxiety, despair, paranoia, and in severe cases, hallucinations and the danger of suicide. He said that kids and teens who take drugs can have trouble with their emotions and thinking, which can have long-term effects on their ability to make decisions and their self-esteem.
The paper discovered that drug addiction leads to people dropping out of school, not having enough work, and being unemployed, which keeps the cycle of poverty going. The cost of drugs can wreck families financially, while communities lose productivity and have to pay more for welfare and healthcare.
Substance misuse was characterized as a significant contributor to familial disintegration, societal isolation, and stigma. Garba said that those who are addicted typically lose their support networks and may join deviant groups, which can lead to cycles of abuse that last for generations.
Other speakers stressed that using drugs for a long time might harm organs, weaken the immune system, cause difficulties with reproductive health, and speed up the aging process. Chronic abuse can lead to cognitive decline that looks like dementia, heart disease, and organ failure in older persons aged 50 to 60. This puts even more demand on healthcare systems.
Dr. Daniel Buba, the person who organized the colloquium, underlined the importance of good leadership for national growth. He said that the human mind is Nigeria’s most significant resource and that visionary leadership can help the country use its many natural riches for long-term progress.
Professor Vincent Ojeh made a point in his keynote speech on how leadership and nation-building are connected. He said that the main purpose of leadership is to create more leaders who can change society.
The colloquium ended with everyone agreeing that stronger legislation, more public awareness, and a renewed commitment from leaders are needed to fight substance misuse and support sustainable development across the country.
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