WAEC Mathematics 2019 Objective — Question 82

Explanation

DRUG ABUSE AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTH: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS By Mezie Ojukwu, SS 3B The incidence of drug abuse, especially among Nigerian youths and the country at large, are spelling doom we may not be able to cope with if nothing is done urgently to nib this menace. Drug abuse here refers to the use of illicit substances, misuse or overdose of drugs for different unhealthy purposes. These substances include cocaine, cannabis, heroine, codeine, tramadol, among other substances that are dangerous to health. One noticeable cause of drug abuse among youth is peer pressure. The youthful exuberance in every young person gives them the hunches to wanting to try everything new, especially doing drugs and engaging in sexual practices. An innocent boy, if not well-guided, can be influenced by his corrupt peers who are used to doing drugs. They can lure him with the temporal 'benefit' they enjoy from drugs such as feeling high and enjoying a fantasied realm. The other day, many young men were caught in a rendezvous in Kano while they were gulping lots of cough syrups containing codeine. Some were even said to have confessed to sniffing the disgusting smell/evaporation emanating from latrine. Peer influence would have dragged some of them into this. Another cause is mental disorder, commonly called depression. Life is hard on many young able-bodied Nigerians. People are facing many problems ranging from economic challenges, family issues, anger issues to poverty. They are leading miserable lives. While many find solace in religious gatherings, a large number of others deal with their depression by drugging and drinking just to enjoy momentary relief. This has further caused addiction to drugs. Besides, parental neglect is another cause. Where parents neglect their responsibility to socially guard and guide their adolescents at the time the latter need close monitoring, such adolescents will find guidance elsewhere either from already damaged adults or from other misguided/unguided adolescents. Many uneducated boys working with public transporters/drivers learned how to smoke cigarette and wraps of grinded dry pawpaw leaves from these drivers. However, one way of curbing drug abuse is by spreading consistent awareness about the negative effects of drugs. This awareness tour should get to secondary schools, universities and every nook and cranny of our societies. Youths must be sensitized in different languages on the need to desist from doing drugs. The government should strongly implement policy against the sales of hard drugs and their importations. Arrested drug addicts should undergo mental and psychological rehabilitation. Awareness to resist people suffering from depression should equally be initiated. All these will definitely curb and reduce the incidence of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.