HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF DRUG ADDICTION AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Drug addiction is a devastating condition that affects the brain and behavior of the users. It leads to inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. This is characterised by compulsive, or uncontrollable drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes, which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in individuals who use drugs that could rather render them unproductive and as treats to security stability for national development. Drug addiction as a relapsing disease has the capacity of causing the user to always want to return to drug use after attempts to stop. Among the social and medical ills of the twentieth century militating against attaining sustainable development of any country, substance abuse ranks as one of the most devastating. Drug problem and insecurity today is a major global concern including Nigeria. Security is freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm or other unwanted coercive change caused by others. Beneficiaries technically referents of security may be of persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems or any other entity or phenomenon vulnerable to unwanted change by its environment. Drug addicts have the tendency to ferment violence at any given time. Hence, the aim of this study was to review the health implications of drugs addiction and security challenges in Nigeria, channeling a way forward. The study considered an overview of drug addiction, causes of drug abuse, types and signs of drug addiction, security challenges in Nigeria, drug addiction and its effect in attaining sustainable development and the health implications of drug addiction and treatment. Suggestions were enumerated on the adverse effect of the irrational use of drugs and how the menace can be curbed.