Hard Drugs and recent surge in Methamphetamine use in Nigeria; Who is to be blamed?

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The ever-growing cases of drug abuse and some potential ones is really something to be bothered about. Everyday people misuse and abuse substances that could a detrimental to their well-being.

It has been a recent trend in Nigeria and case in point anambra, an Igbo speaking part of Nigeria . It has been observed that's there has been a massive spike in the abuse of a substance locally called 'Mkpuru Mmiri’ in Igbo language. The scientific name of this substance is Methamphetamine.

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Methamphetamine Crystal

Late this year, the news, broke out about young individuals engaged in the abuse of this substance. A lot of videos and pictures of the abuses of this substance went viral.

Some of them were seeing being flogged while being tied to a support. The question is this: flogging the abusers, is that the right thing to do? Does it guarantee that they will not repeat the action? We will find the answers to these questions as we continue.

It bafflles me sometimes when I see young and vibrant youths, the supposed leaders of tomorrow do things that can permanently maim and permanently render them useless to the society.

It's understandable that the society we are in doesn't appreciate the young. The rate of mismanagement of resources that would actually better the life of the masses has made things more difficult for the common man survival.

Blaming the leaders won't be bad, but does that now mean we should make ourselves useless through some activities we engage in? Absolutely not! Drug abuse is not peculiar to Nigeria,rather, it is a global issue.

As much as poor socioeconomic factors and low educational background have been reported to be the common risk factors associated with drug abuse in Nigeria, It is in the same society that some are still thriving and doing good. All it requires is personal will and determination to succeed at all cost whilst still maintaining deceny. It is a known fact that, a daring and determined mind will always do exploit.

This article intends to discuss this substance methamphetamine, why it highly dangerous and addictive. We will also explore the behavioral pattern in the abusers, as well as also examine their brain cognitive function. Let's start with a little introduction to methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine

So we don't bite our tongue and for ease of pronunciation, I will use the word Meth in place of the full word subsequently throughout this discussion unless where need be.

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Methamphetamine Crystal

Meth is a shiny Crystal with glass resemblance but has a bluish- white boulders and it is chemically similar in structure to Amphetamine (Used in the treatment of attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, and in addition to Narcolepsy, a sleep disorder). It is an artificially produced Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant.

Meth is usually sold in powder, paste or crystal form. It is highly addictive in nature and mostly taken through intranasal sniffing,
oral ingestion through the mouth, pulmonary inhalation, and even through injection.

When it comes to the injection, it is first dissolved in water or alcohol before it is administered. It is remarkably soluble in both solvent thus, making it much easier for the abuser to use.

Another reason for the surge in abuse cases of this substance is because, it is very cheap, easy to be produced, even the main raw material required for its production known as (pseudoephedrine) - a common ingredient in cold medications is very cheap and easy to get.

Methamphetamine is currently the leading
substance of concern in South-East Asia, partly owing to its easy and inexpensive production.

If care is not taken and necessary action take to curb this substance abuse, we might be planning for doom. The fate of the younger generation might be in question.

How this substance works

Methamphetamine because of its potency and ability to release large amounts of dopamine in rewarding areas of the brain, this this makes it much more addictive.

Dopamine is a neuro transmitter in the brain, it confers the feeling of wellness in individuals, makes you want to do what naturally you cannot and to cap it up, it is highly involved in the reinforcement of rewarding behaviours.

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Rewarding areas of the brain

Just for clarity and better understanding, the rewarding area of the brain are the region responsible for the feeling of want and pleasure. Meth is by virtue a rewarding substance because it has the ability of producing stimulus that makes the consumer want to approach and consume it as a consequence of the released dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is highly involved in body movement, cognitive function, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors. Its release in large quantity by the action of meth is one of the predominant factors that causes the addiction in the abusers.

They would always have the urge and want to have a repeat of the experience. This though is not only peculiar to meth, most addictive drugs work in the manner. This answers the question I raised earlier on regarding beating the abuser being the way out.

The behavioural and neurological changes in abuser

It has been observed that continual abuse of Meth drastically depletes the level of dopamine in the brain. As evidently seen in the MRI scan of the brain below.

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Depletion of Dopamine in chronic Meth Abuser

It is not surprising to see people who abuse Meth having reduced coordination and impaired verbal learning. Since the amount of dopamine is reduced, the chances of uncoordinated movement and dramatic behavioral displays are usually inevitable. It makes them feel strong and gives them a false feeling of power and euphoria.

According to the report of Aymeric Petit, 2012, Methamphetamine is the most abused illicit drug world-wide after cannabis, with about 15-16 million regular users.

Why the abuse and who is at risk

There are a host of factors and reasons that make people indulge in the act of abusing drugs. It ranges from depression, frustration, emotional trauma, the wish to impress peer pressure, the feeling to belong and be regarded as the 'Man' etc.

The reasons extend beyond the mentioned one here and if care is not taken, drug abuse might became a more serious case to handle than what we are currently experiencing. It no longer disputable that cases are more among young ones than in the elderly.

The youthful exuberance is something that is common and part of every child's developmental stage. At this stage of their life, they are more at risk and can easily deceived into indulging into all manner of ill activities if they not properly mentored and guided. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, report of 2018, most research suggests that early (12–14 years old) to late (15–17 years old) adolescence is a critical risk period for the initiation of substance use and that substance use may peak among young people aged 18–25 years.

Nigeria as a case study

Let's come home in our discussion and by home, I mean Nigeria. Why are there gradual increase in cases of drug abuse. Besides the factors earlier stated. In 2018, the National Bureau Of Statistics conducted the first of its kind comprehensive nationwide National drug use survey in Nigeria. The findings were quite shocking and revealing. The following images were adopted from the report.

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NBS-NIGERIA

The above findings from the drug use survey has provided a very comprehensive picture of Nigeria on the extent of drug use and the
associated dangers among the population. It also simply buttresses the fact that, the current policies put in place are not effective and in fact not working thus requires amendment.

A systematic review recently done by Abubakar Ibrahim Jatau and colleagues, 2021 showed that a prevalence of 20–40% of drug abuse was reported among students (undergraduate and secondary students) and while 20.9% were among youths, in Nigeria and one of the commonly abused drugs highlighted was amphetamine a strong 'relative' of Methamphetamine contracted from alpha-methylphenethylamine).

Findings from the above study also revealed that some of the reasons for engaging in the act was pleasure, to increase physical performance and mental performance and stress. This just reconfirm some of my assertions earlier on. Easily throwing blames and castigating this set of people might be the easiest thing to do but definitely not the right thing.

The findings are actually not far from the truth because with the way Nigeria educational systems is structured, it favours more of the crammers. If you can cram your way out, pour it verbatim for the lecturer during the exam, then you are good to go.

Then those that cannot cram will keep struggling to meet up with the demand and bulky notes and handouts to read. In a bid to meet up, some indulge in taking all manner of things just to read and meet up. Gradually, they get introduced to different substances that unknowingly to them, are addictive in nature.

I had a friend and a colleague back then in my university days, at the onset, clinical classes were looking interesting in second year first semester, but in second semester, everything changed. The introduction of anatomy lectures, physiology and biochemistry were quite interesting not until the loads and loads of sub topics were added.

It became so voluminous that my friend had no choice but to take some drugs just to stay all night and read for exam. It didn't take long before he broke down and that's how problem started. The rest is history. The succur I have is that, he has fully recovered from the neurologic problem that arose as a consequence of his innocent action per say. Though it cost him alot. Lessons learnt!

This story is just a scratch from thousand of cases out there. Many are doing all that can to survive. The economy, the leaders, are not helping matters. The little effort the young ones put in to better their life, the government will do all it can to frustrate it through some policies that are mostly unfavourable to the youths and upcoming generations.

So, who is to be blamed and any way forward?

As tough as this question may seem, it will be answered one way or the other. First of all, as humans, it is a natural disposition and tendency for us to apportion blames to others instead of owning up and accepting the fact that we are responsible for every decision that culminates to action we take in life. The consequences can either be favourable or unfavourable.

Resorting to drug abuse is never the right thing to do. The economy may not be favorable but it still does not encourage you to indulge in illegal acts. United Nations sustainable development goals article number 2 and 3 are aimed at:

Ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture and in the same vein ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

So as a young individual, indulging in the use of illicit drugs and hard substances would only create more problem. The goal is for everyone to be a problem solver rather than the initiator. When we have this mindset and key in into good policies that favour promotion of good health, the world would be a better and safer place for us all.

The government on its end must make the country more habitable and favourable both economic and social wise for the younger ones. Frustrating their effort through the policies that most times don't favour for them is sure not the right way to go. There needs to be a restructuring of the Nigerian educational system and a revamp in the health sector by creating an accessible database of unemployed youths as well as those both in secondary and tertiary schools. This will help alot policy making.

As suggested in the drug use survey, 2018, establishment of drug observatory agency that will help to regularly collate data and analyse the drug situation in Nigeria is very important.

The drug observatory could regularly monitor, through established indicators of drug use and supply, the emerging new drug threats, the
implementation of regular drug use surveys in the general population and among youth, analysis of patterns of drug use among vulnerable population groups, and the monitoring of the extent and quality of responses to address the drug situation in the country

As of writing this article, there has not been an official circular from the government as to the case of sudden increase in the use of Methamphetamine in the Eastern part of Nigeria. This is something to be worried about. Is it that the government doesn't really care or is just another laxity on their end. One thing is certain, a problem will remain unsolved and will only continue to linger and can develop into a bigger problem.

If only they had implemented the suggestions outlined in the drug use survey report of 2018, we might not have experienced the case as seen in Anambra Eastern part of Nigeria. In all, I always believe that one day, there will be a positive change and turn around for Nigeria.

Blame no one for your actions and be ready to take responsibility. Be a positive change maker and a patriot. It takes unity, true patriotism to build that society of our dream. You could be our next leader and the change maker we have all being praying for. The change begins with you and I. Don't waste your future!

Say no to Drugs!

Until I come your way again, stay safe.

Thanks for reading.

References
Nature; Methamphetamine Induces Dopamine Release in the Nucleus Accumbens Through a Sigma Receptor-Mediated Pathway
PUBMED; Determinants of high availability of methamphetamine, cannabis, LSD and ecstasy in New Zealand: Are drug dealers promoting methamphetamine rather than cannabis?
Methamphetamine
reward-circuit-how-brain-responds-to-methamphetamine
Understanding reward system
Methamphetamine_Addiction_A_Review_of_the_Literature?
UNODC report, 2018
Peer group influence and illicit drug use
among adolescent students in Brazil:
a cross-sectional study

The Burden of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological Studies and Drug Laws
Drug use in Nigeria
Recreational drug use among Nigerian university students: Prevalence, correlates and frequency of use
Methamphetamine Drug Belongs To Almajiris In North – IPOB Vows To Stop Consumption In South-East
How Mkpuru mmiri is destroying and killing Igbo youths



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7 comments
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As of writing this article, there has not been an official circular from the government as to the case of sudden increase in the use of Methamphetamine in the Eastern part of Nigeria. This is something to be worried about. Is it that the government doesn't really care or is just another laxity on their end. One thing is certain, a problem will remain unsolved and will only continue to linger and can develop into a bigger problem.

This is so sad and very alarming. We know the harmful effects of these drugs yet the government is not doing anything. Or maybe they are but the numbers are still incredibly high.

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It's as bad as that...we are optimistic that one day things will be better. That's the much we can do

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Definitely, the drug problematics is a worldwide issue, and it touches every single country of the planet. There is a whole business/economy behind it (and this is why it works so well).

It is not clear, at least from my own perspective, about what to do to tackle this. At the level of the consumer, as you said, we should just say 'no', which is easier to do when the risks are fully known. Therefore, we should educate, educate and educate again. Except for this... I don't know. Really....

I can imagine that the end of the supply chain (i.e. the consumers) is often where any muscled reactions by our governments are made. But this won’t change anything on a more global scale, Luckily, this is not always the case according to the stories we hear once in a while in the news. But definitely, this is by far not sufficient to end the problem, or at least partially tame it.

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There is a whole business/economy behind it (and this is why it works so well)
Very true as regards to this and just as you rightly said, educating the general masses might be one way and this must start at grass root level for efficiency

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