DRUG ABUSE 

By: Jimoh Ayinke

Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes apart from those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. And also is when you use legal or illegal substances in ways you shouldn’t. Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems. You might take more than the regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription.

 Individuals may abuse almost any substance whose ingestion can result in a euphoric (“high”) feeling. While many are aware of the abuse of legal substances like alcohol or illegal drugs like marijuana (in most states) and cocaine, less well-known is the fact that inhalants like household cleaners and over-the-counter medications like cold medicines are some of the most commonly abused substances.

Severally occurrences or situations over the years have been researched to be reasons for drug abuse, some are; Depression and Mental Illnesses, History of Trauma, Stress, and Inability to Cope, Low Self-Esteem, Social Pressures, Academic Pressures, Lack of Parent-Child Communication among many others.

Some ways to prevent substance/Drug abuse: Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure, seek help for mental illness, Examine the risk factors, keep a well-balanced life.

Drug abuse prevention begins with education, spreading the word regarding the dangers of drugs to oneself and to the community. These programs are just the beginning. The information provided is most effective when it is followed up with continued support. Drug prevention programs seek to involve the family, community, or workplace in the prevention process. To be effective, communities need to sustain the progress. This often requires continued leadership and financial support.