- Dr Aliyu Abubakar says about 85 percent of mad people in Nigeria are youths
- He recalled that in 2016, the NDLEA reported that about 40 percent of Nigerian youths engaged in drug-abuse
- Abubakar advised the youths to be cautious of peer group influence and always ensure that they serve as worthy ambassadors of their families
Dr Aliyu Abubakar of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, has said that the youths account for about 85 percent of mad people in Nigeria.
Abubakar made the remark in a paper he presented at a sensitisation workshop for youths organised by Bizara Youth Development Association in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state, NAN reports.
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NAIJ.com gathers that the paper was entitled: 'Drug Abuse in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and Solutions.'
Abubakar said: “According to a recent study, 85 percent of mad people in Nigeria are youths within the age bracket of 18-38 years.
“The major cause of mental challenge in Nigeria has gone beyond drug-abuse as the youths now inhale lizard feces, putting their noses into pit toilets, smoking matches, smoking dried horse feces and mixing lizard feces with dye powder.
“Drug abuse disorder is a common problem affecting about 5 percent of the of the world population with an estimated 10.2 percent in the USA.”
He recalled that in Nigeria, it was recently reported that about three million bottles of cough syrup containing codeine is consumed daily in Kano state and about six million bottles consumed in the north-west.
Abubakar added that in 2016, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported that about 40 percent of Nigerian youths engaged in drug-abuse.
The medical doctor stressed that the consequences of drug-abuse include mental disorder, liver cirrhosis, lethargy and cardiovascular disorder among others.
Abubakar added that those abusing drugs mostly drop out of school, engage in cultism, violence, arm-robbery, thuggery, rape, lawlessness, murders and are culturally disorientated.
In his speech, the chairman, Bizara Youth Development Association, Malam Yahaya Nuhu advised parents to draw their children closer to monitor their movement and those they relate with.
He advised government to introduce stiffer penalties against drug-dealers, fish them out and punish them accordingly.
Nuhu advised the youths to be cautious of peer group influence and always ensure that they serve as worthy ambassadors of their families and communities.
“Members of the society also have a role to play towards curbing the menace of drug-abuse, especially by monitoring activities of the youths.
“Additionally, community members can advise parents where necessary, and also supply vital information to relevant authorities for prompt action,” he said.
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Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that a survey by NOIPolls found that marijuana, codeine and alcohol are the top three drugs and substances mostly abused in Nigeria, particularly amongst the teenagers and young adults aged between 15 – 29 years.
NOIPolls is a public opinion polling institution which conducts extensive polls reflecting the opinions and attitudes of Nigerians on various sectors, topics and social, economic and political issues.
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Source: Naija.ng
