Mental health professionals have raised concerns about the increasing number of women involved in drug abuse, with statistics showing that 25% of females are now involved in substance abuse.
This issue was addressed at the World Drug Day event organized by Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State in collaboration with Solace Foundation.
Dr. Sunday Amosun, the Director of Research, Training, and Head of the Drug Abuse Unit at the hospital, highlighted that studies indicate one in four drug users in Nigeria are female.
He emphasized the need for urgent preventive measures to address the drug abuse epidemic, especially considering that drug use in Nigeria surpasses the global average.
“The equivalence of drug use in Nigeria is about 14.3 million, meaning 14 out of every 100 Nigerians have used drugs.
“This translates to one in seven Nigerians, almost three times the global average of 5.6 per cent.”
Dr. Amosun expressed concern that a significant proportion of drug users in Nigeria – 25% – are women, and urged collective action from all stakeholders to combat the issue.
He characterized Nigeria as a key transshipment point for illegal drugs, highlighting how this contributes to the country’s struggles with drug abuse, and emphasizing the need for a collaborative response to address this challenge.
He highlighted, “Nigeria, along with Ghana, Togo, and the Benin Republic, forms a transit route for drugs destined for Europe. In the process, these drugs often end up being used locally.
“Additionally, there are local labs in Nigeria that manufacture narcotic substances such as methamphetamine and ecstasy for export.”
According to Dr. Amosun, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the surge in drug use among females, as restrictions on movement led to a buildup of drugs in the country, resulting in increased local consumption.
He noted that there has been a significant increase in the misuse of prescription medications like tramadol, codeine-containing cough syrups, and pentazocine injections.
The psychiatrist emphasized that prevention is key in addressing drug abuse, highlighting the need for proactive measures to curb this growing concern.
He noted, “The key message for prevention is that it’s better they don’t start at all. Universal and targeted prevention strategies are crucial, involving families, schools, communities, and the government.
“We must ensure drug treatment centres are accessible and affordable, with psychiatric facilities in every general hospital capable of managing drug abuse.”
Dr. Amosun identified several factors contributing to the high rate of drug use among women, including increased access to education, lack of parental guidance, and greater financial independence, which can lead to increased purchasing power and exposure to drugs, ultimately perpetuating the stigma surrounding drug use.
“Elitism, where females are becoming more educated, and absent parenting are significant factors. Females often have more access to money, making it easier for them to procure drugs,” he said.
“Due to cultural perspectives and stigma, many families hide their female members who use drugs, fearing societal judgment and potential marital challenges.
“This is reflected in the low number of females seeking treatment – only one out of twenty patients in hospitals are female, despite one in four drug users being female,” he stated.
The Provost and Chief Medical Director of Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta, Paul Agboola, expressed grave concern about the escalating drug abuse problem among youths.
He emphasized the need for sustained efforts to address this issue, calling for a collaborative approach that involves the community, parents, and ongoing awareness programs to protect the future of young people.
He warned that drug abuse has expanded beyond traditional substances like cannabis and cocaine to include harmful materials like paint fumes and even sewage, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
“Anything people feel can enhance their feeling, can stimulate their brain and they tend to abuse it,” he added.
The doctor praised the organizers of the event for their efforts and emphasized the crucial need to reach young individuals early, before they succumb to drug abuse, in order to make a positive impact and prevent the harmful consequences of addiction.
“The essence of today’s programme is to create awareness in society. That is why you could see that we got the children, the schools in attendance, and it’s meant to catch them young,” he elaborated.
Dr. Agboola emphasized the vital importance of collaboration in tackling the drug abuse crisis, and expressed his institution’s willingness to work together with the government and community stakeholders to address this issue.
Dr. Sodeinde, Deputy Director of Clinical Psychology, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significant global health and social consequences of psychoactive drug use, and stressing the need for a united and comprehensive approach to address this pressing concern.
The psychologist characterized drug abuse as a global pandemic, wreaking havoc on millions of lives worldwide.
He elaborated on the numerous health consequences associated with drug abuse, including damage to vital organs, increased risk of infections like HIV/AIDS, STDs, and hepatitis, sleep and appetite disturbances, mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, and severe behavioral changes like irritability and violence.
Citing the National Drug Survey, he revealed that in Nigeria, a staggering 14.3 million people, representing 14.4% of those aged 15-64, engage in drug use, with cannabis being the most widely used substance, accounting for 10.6 million users.
Furthermore, he noted that 4.6 million Nigerians used opioids non-medically in 2023, and alarmingly, one in every four drug users is a woman.
Globally, the World Drug Report in 2019 reported that 271 million people, equivalent to 5.5% of the population aged 15-64, used drugs, with a projected 35 million individuals suffering from drug use disorders.
Dr. Sodeinde emphasized the urgent need for collective action to combat this crisis, calling for comprehensive efforts at all levels – governmental, community, family, and individual – to invest in prevention and address the escalating problem of drug abuse.
