Health
Health experts raise concern over high rate of drug abuse
Public health experts and anti-substance abuse campaigners have raised concern over the rising rate of drug abuse as the world celebrates International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
They expressed their concern at an event organised by the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Abuja Branch, to mark the Day on Sunday in Abuja.
The 2021 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has as theme, “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”.
Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate, Pharmacist Otive Igbuzor, who chaired the event, expressed worry that the rate of drug abuse in Nigeria was about thrice the global average of 5.3 per cent.
He harped on the need to share research findings, evidence-based data and life-saving facts to combat the menace of drug abuse.
“Statistics show that drug abuse affects the youth more as 70 per cent of drug abusers in Nigeria are youth.
“The facts are chilling. A study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2018 indicated that 14.4 per cent or 14.3 million people aged 15 and 64 years in Nigeria abuse drugs.
“This is very high compared to global annual prevalence of 5.6 percent. The drugs mostly abused are cannabis, opiods (tramadol, codeine or morphine) and cough syrups containing codeine.
“From all indication, a solid basis for global solutions to these challenges lies with the drug, crime and corruption conventions of the United Nations and drug policies of various countries,” he said.
In his keynote address, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen.Buba Marwa (rtd) lamented that 90 per cent of criminalities in Nigeria was linked to drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Marwa who was represented by Mrs Chizoba Etuka, a director in NDLEA, solicited the support of everyone in tackling the menace.
“The phenomenon of drug abuse has reached a worrisome level. It will require collective effort to combat the menace,” she said.(NAN)
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality through improved health interventions and grassroots engagement.
Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Jalingo, Taraba State, she emphasized the administration’s focus on strengthening healthcare—particularly among women and youth—by targeting preventable diseases and improving service delivery.
“We are here to encourage frontline health workers by providing incentives and recognizing their efforts,” Tinubu stated. “When well-supported, we believe maternal and infant mortality rates will decline significantly.”
She underscored the crucial role traditional institutions play in community mobilization, urging monarchs to help raise awareness of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s ongoing health programs.
The First Lady also drew attention to the need for action on HIV/AIDS, especially mother-to-child transmission, which she described as persistently high. “Treatment for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis is available and free. We need to get this message to the people, and traditional leaders are key to that,” she added.
Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, echoed her sentiments, highlighting the government’s frontline healthcare efforts.
“In the North East alone, 8,500 frontline health workers have been trained—1,300 from Taraba. Over 1,000 health facilities receive quarterly funding from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, including 170 in Taraba,” he said.
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, and First Lady Agyin Kefas, commended the federal interventions and noted they align with the state’s developmental priorities.
As part of her visit, Mrs. Tinubu donated 10,000 professional kits to midwives across the six North East states and presented a ₦50 million cheque to empower 1,000 women in Taraba.
Researchers have discovered that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic fragments directly into the mouth, raising concerns about microplastic exposure.
A study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that a single gram of gum can release an average of 100 microplastic particles, with some brands shedding over 600.
Lead researcher Sanjay Mohanty emphasized that while no direct evidence links microplastics to health risks, the study highlights another way these tiny pollutants enter the body.
People who chew around 180 pieces of gum annually could ingest approximately 30,000 microplastic fragments. However, Mohanty noted that bottled water and other sources contribute significantly more to microplastic intake.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, 4 Communities by Communities (4CbyC) is highlighting the resilience of women battling cervical cancer. Through personal narratives, the organization aims to raise awareness about the disease, stressing the importance of early detection, vaccination, and community-driven healthcare solutions.
For Ene, the impact of cervical cancer became deeply personal following the loss of her aunt, Evelyn, and the declining health of her mother. Living in Awo-Kajola, their family’s once-vibrant evenings were shattered by grief. Fearing a tragic pattern, Ene sought answers at the One-Stop Shop for Health, where she met a clinician, Funke.
Funke’s explanation changed everything: cervical cancer was not a curse but a preventable disease. Testing confirmed Ene’s worst fears—her mother had Stage 3 cervical cancer. However, hope remained. Funke assured Ene that she and her sister, Blessing, could receive the HPV vaccine, preventing future cases.
Similarly, Jennifer’s story underscores the urgency of awareness and healthcare access. Misdiagnosed for years, her cervical cancer advanced unchecked, and by the time she received proper care, it was too late. Financial constraints and limited healthcare resources delayed her treatment, leading to her passing in 2020.
To prevent more cases like Jennifer’s, organizations like the SaliHoe Foundation are stepping in, offering free cervical cancer screenings, vaccinations, and education. Campaigns such as “Know Her, Save Her” are using digital platforms to spread life-saving information, while FemmeHealth connects women with screening and treatment options.
Directors of 4CbyC—Prof. Juliet Iwelunmor, Prof. Joe Tuckler, and Prof. Oliver Ezechi—emphasize the need for continued advocacy, early detection, and accessible healthcare.
“The fight against cervical cancer is not just about health; it’s about breaking down the barriers of stigma, access, and education,” they said. “Through collective action, we can create a world where no woman dies from a preventable cancer.”
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