Drug abuse: Association tasks parents on vigilance

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged parents to be vigilant and take adequate control measures when their children engage in drug abuse.
Mrs Chinenlo Okonkwo, the secretary, publicity committee of the FCT branch of the association, made the call in a statement she issued to mark the 2016 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Day is marked on June 26 every year.
The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Saturday in Abuja, said that the theme of this year’s event is: “Listen First.’’
The statement described drug abuse as “any substance that causes reinforcement and has the capacity of producing effects that make the user wish to take them again.’’
It urged parents and care givers to develop a strong bond with their children and be attentive to what they say.
The statement urged parents to be gentle in correcting their children and encourage them on positive attitudes.
“Drug abuse or addiction constitutes serious danger to health as a result of dependence,” it said.
“Its overall harm depends on the drug that is being abused, the degree to which it is abused, individual’s body response to the drug and environmental influence on the person.”
It listed some of the dangers associated with drug abuse to include depression, sleepiness, fatigue, craving for the same drug, restlessness, muscle aches, anxiety and increased blood pressure.
“Others are difficulty in concentrating, seizures, profuse sweating, hallucinations, confusion, fever, hostility, nausea, cardiac arrhythmias, bone marrow depression, brain degeneration, damage to liver, kidneys, lungs, peripheral nerves, coma and death.”
 “Illicit drugs are controlled substances which cause reinforcement. Examples are: heroin (opioids), cocaine, amphetamine and related substances.
“Others are Cannabinoids (hemp, marijuana), psychedelic agents like lsergic acid diethylamide (LSD), phencyclidine (pcp) and Ketamine.
“Some of these substances are used clinically to treat or enhance the treatment of some medical conditions.
“Other substances that are abused include ethanol (alcohol), benzodiapines for treating anxiety disorders and insomnia, barbiturates (sedatives), caffeine, nicotine (cigarette) and semi-opiods (codeine, tramadol) for the treatment of pain.”