Drug Abuse: Know The Truth, Avoid The Consequences »

What propels a social change?

Malcolm Gladwell in his book “THE TIPPING POINT; Little Things Can Make a Big Difference”, suggested that it takes only the smallest of changes to shatter an epidemic’s equilibrium. Interestingly, he also submitted that the same fraction of smallness is also required to ignite and fast-track the introduction and spread of an epidemic in any society.

Just like every other known and common epidemic, the issues of drug abuse and its resultant effects have become very worrisome and have emerged as one of the core illicit behaviors that the youth demography in Nigeria engaged in. This could be traced to a small fraction of beginners who have now extended and exerted their influence on a larger fraction of vulnerable young individuals. Truth is a decade ago, issues of drugs were not as prevalent as the current realities that exist, substance abuse has spiked and its influences have surged.

The outright truth about drug abuse is that it destroys life, kills potential, and damages the future. Several societal vices and misconducts have been traced to the indulgence of the youths in the abuse of drugs and substances. Crimes and criminality have massively increased in our society, acts of violence, rape, youth restiveness, and other demeaning behaviors have become the order of the day. All of these can be traced to abuse of drugs.

Based on statistics, Nigeria currently faces severe challenges as a good number of its young citizens indulge in drugs and substances despite a 1990 National Drug Policy adopted to guard against inadequacies in drug availability, supply, and distribution. In Nigeria, with a population of 30 to 35 million spends approximately USD 15,000 and USD 30,000 annually on psychotropic drugs and alcoholic beverages, respectively.

The abuse of drugs as well as other substances and associated crime have driven the considerable rise in the number of youths imprisoned in recent years. United Nations Office in a report on Drug and Crime in Nigeria indicates that 14.4% (14.3 million) of people aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs; this is such a staggering index that requires very prompt attention. The statistical analysis of the findings of a 2015 nationwide survey of 10,609 respondents showed that alcohol is the drug with the highest prevalence rate, whereas cannabis is the most abused illicit drug. The very sad reality is that drug abuse in Nigeria is prevalent across educational levels and reaches down even to the secondary school level.

Kogi state is not immune from the surge in drug abuse and its impact, despite efforts by several stakeholders to stamp out this menace from society. Those within the traditional institutions have raised alarm over the growing rate of drug abuse, beckoning for responsive collaboration that would proffer lasting and sustainable solutions and restore societal order.

Aligning with Malcolm Gladwell’s submission on social change, the Kogi state’s Ministry of Youth and Sport Developments, under the leadership of its Commissioner, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe responded and resolved to lead the advocacy through strategic collaboration across the board. This initiative spurred out of similar concern shared by the Ministry on the high level of drug abuse in the state.

While the ministry acknowledges several efforts made by different quarters including the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), The Ministry’s core interest and strategic inkling is to take an approach that would seek to remind the youth demography of the dangers of indulging in drug abuse, sensitize them on avoiding the detrimental consequences and proffer alternate lifestyle. Another significant pointer to achieving a positive behavioral change is the sustainability plan proposed by the ministry.

The ministry resolves to ensure that its sensitization propositions and messages extend to the nooks and crannies of the state, including other major towns and remote areas. While efforts have been geared up by the Ministry towards incorporating and carrying along every relevant stakeholder in ensuring a very elaborate and robust event with remarkable results, public collaboration has been clamored in a bid to solidify the outcome and instill the messages in our respective homes.

Without mincing words, drug abuse has eaten deep into the fabric of our moral existence, eroding our society of normalcy and good values, bitting hard on the critical thinking and creative ability of the youths, subjecting the young to a life of evil vices, darkening the stars of bright young individuals who have ventured into such dark allays and we all have the responsibility to respond swiftly. If we all cannot take the lead, we must commit to ensuring that we support moves that will free this menace from our society.

Why do small actions matter?

Again reflecting on Gladwell’s submissions, small actions tend to yield big results, cause social change, and lead to the restoration of societal order but only when done through incisive collaborative efforts and of course, hands-on implementation. The Ministry’s sensitization on drug abuse might seem like yet another small action, but with great optimism and a focus on demystifying the evils of drug abuse, long-term results, and social change would emerge.

We keep our fingers crossed!