By Vivian Onyebukwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State Command, organised its second-quarter “War Against Drug Abuse” capacity-building programme, in commemoration of 2023 Children’s Day celebration recently. The virtual meeting was tagged “Substance use, prevention and treatment for children and adolescents.” Dr. Grace Ijarogbe was the guest speaker.
In her welcome address, C.N. Ibiba Jane Odili, the NDLEA’s Ogun State commander, explained the aim of the capacity-building programme, which was to enhance participants’ understanding of effective prevention and treatment strategies and to strengthen collective efforts in combating drug abuse among children and adolescents.
Odili said: “From the numerous statistics and current realities, we will all agree that one of the issues threatening this vision of children being the leaders of tomorrow is the issue of substance abuse, in which evidence-based facts have shown that children of lower age brackets, ordinarily not captured in studies and researches such as the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, which focuses on ages 15 to 64 years, are not only getting more involved in substance abuse but also suffering from substance use disorders, which for children and adolescents comes with its own peculiarities”.
Odili said it was based on this background that the NDLEA, Ogun State Command, decided to organise the programme as its contribution towards provoking and increasing conversations required for stakeholders to provide balanced interventions, ranging from prevention, treatment, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of children and adolescents, who represent the societal promise and hope for a better and more flourishing world. Through this learning experience, she said, they aim to enhance the understanding of this topical issue, which for many reasons can easily be ignored or is not given the adequate attention it deserves.
“We also need to strengthen our collective resolve in combatting substance abuse among children and adolescents in our communities”, she added.
Odili acknowledged the able leadership of the chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd), in excellently and passionately driving the mandate of the agency, especially via the War Against Drug Abuse campaign (WADA).
The guest speaker, Dr. Grace Ijarogbe, a highly accomplished Nigerian doctor specializing in adult psychiatry with a focus on child and adolescent mental health services, presented a talk on substance and drug abuse among young persons. She highlighted the prevalence and consequences of addiction.
She emphasised that addiction was a disease that cannot be cured, and recovery is a lifelong journey: “The gene for addiction is present in a small percentage of the population, and exposure to drugs acts as a trigger for addictive behaviour”.
The speaker acknowledged that substance abuse among young people, both boys and girls, is a rising problem in society, affecting all socio-economic backgrounds. She stated various factors that contribute to drug abuse, which include ignorance of the dangers, peer pressure, lack of parental supervision and family conflicts. The accessibility and availability of drugs, including illicit and legal substances, play a significant role.
Ijarogbe discussed the impact of substance and drug abuse on the child, which includes physical and mental health deterioration, addiction, acquisition of diseases, disruption of education and family life. She listed signs of drug use and abuse in children, such as red eyes, tremors, aggression and sudden behavioural changes.
To combat this issue, Ijarogbe proposed an action plan that involves eternal vigilance and getting rid of drugs from homes and environments. She emphasised the importance of communication with children, increased supervision and early identification of drug use. She also stressed the need for mental health care programmes, parental supervision and a communal effort involving various stakeholders and institutions to raise awareness and implement preventive measures.
In all, Ijarogbe highlighted the urgent need to address substance and drug abuse among young persons and called for collective action to create a safe environment for children and youths.
During the interactive session, Joseph Solomon Babalola, a staff of NDLEA, Ogun State Command, raised the issue of a society that allows children to drink alcohol from birth and early ages.
Ijarogbe recommended several measures to address the issue and suggested promoting extensive education and awareness campaigns about the dangers and consequences of early alcohol consumption. These campaigns, she said, were intended to target parents, caregivers, schools and the general public. She emphasised the importance of highlighting the long-term health risks associated with underage drinking and the need to delay alcohol consumption until legal and appropriate ages.
She, therefore, recommended advocacy for strict policies and legislation that would prohibit the sale and provision of alcohol to minors. She stressed the importance of enforcing penalties for individuals and establishments that violated these laws, ensuring that there are consequences for those involved in enabling underage drinking. Additionally, she encouraged parents, communities and NGOs to play an active role in preventing underage drinking.
She equally emphasized the promotion of open communication within families to create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing alcohol-related issues with their parents.
Ijarogbe noted the significance of community initiatives that provide alternative activities and support networks for young people in order to deter them from engaging in underage drinking.
Vice-chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, asked about the active chemical compounds or substances that make non-conventional substances have a high giving sensation and addiction.
The VC also commended the NDLEA,Ogun State for their efforts in addressing the drug problem in the State which Chrisland University is also a beneficiary.
In response, Ijarogbe explained that various substances such as synthetic drugs or designer drugs are made to mimic the effects of illicit substances while evading legal regulations. “These substances often contain different synthetic chemicals, making it difficult to pinpoint specific compounds.”
However, she stated that, regardless of the specific chemical composition, the substances pose significant risks to individuals’ health and wellbeing.
On the appropriate punitive measures for students who abuse substances, Dr. Ijarogbe’s response aligned with a rehabilitative approach. She recommended that students should be made aware of the consequences of substance abuse from the beginning and offered rehabilitation opportunities if caught. Regular drug testing and check-ups can ensure accountability and monitor progress. She mentioned that if students continue to fail drug tests after rehabilitation, the option of rustication (temporary suspension or expulsion) could be considered.
Additionally, she noted the importance of avoiding stigmatization and creating a supportive environment for rehabilitated students. She provided realistic examples for students to assertively refuse drugs and inform parents if they are being pressured by drug-dependent friends, promoting strategies for peer resistance and seeking help.
The meeting was attended by a diverse population of over 70 participants from various backgrounds, including law enforcement organisations, non-governmental organisations, secondary and tertiary institutions, community members, parents, teachers, federal and state ministries, departments and agencies. Prof. Gbajabiamla also attended.
