Sodiq Ojuroungbe Mental health experts have expressed concern over the rising cases of drug abuse among women, lamenting that 25 per cent are now engaged in the act. The experts spoke at the World Drug Day organised by Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta Ogun State in collaboration with Solace Foundation. Speaking at the event, the psychiatrists noted that studies showed that one out of four of those who use drugs in Nigeria are females.
The Director of Research, Training and Head, Drug Abuse Unit at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr Sunday Amosun, said the prevalence of drug use in Nigeria is significantly higher than the global average. The psychiatrist, who was the keynote speaker, spoke on the theme, ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’, stressed the urgent need for comprehensive preventive measures to tackle the drug abuse crisis in Nigeria. On the high prevalence of drug use in the country, the mental health expert said, “The equivalence of drug use in Nigeria is about 14.
3 million, meaning 14 out of every 100 Nigerians have used drugs. “This translates to one in seven Nigerians, almost three times the global average of 5.6 per cent.
” He further lamented that 25 per cent of drug users in Nigeria are females and called for concerted efforts from all sectors to address the menace. Amosun described Nigeria as a Drug Transit Point, noting that Nigeria’s role as a transit point for drugs, contributes to the country’s drug abuse problem. He said, �.
