Psychiatrist urges stiffer penalties for health workers aiding drug abuse
Drugs
Abeokuta, May 2, 2018 (NAN) A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Lateef Sakeeb, has called on government at all levels to ensure stiffer punishment for health professionals aiding the trafficking and abuse of banned drugs in the country.
Sakeeb made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
The psychiatrist, who was reacting to the abuse of illicit drugs by youths, said it was detrimental to health and society at large.
NAN reports that some of the drugs, which include: Tramadol and Codeine are said to be abused by a large percentage of youths in the country.
Sakeeb alleged that some medical professionals aid the distribution of these banned substances for monetary gains, saying, “whoever is found guilty should be disciplined accordingly’’.
“Professionally, it should be looked into and anyone found wanting should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We know they are proposing some legislation to that regard in the National Assembly, let them enforce the existing laws,’’ he said.
According to Sakeeb, the use of the substance is more prevalent among adolescent youths between the age 18 to 26 (early adulthood).
He said that the substance was also prevalent among the younger children of 12 years these days.
“These days, because of the increase in the usage of drugs and globalisation, we now see even a child of 12 years acting under the influence of drugs.
“We have seen cases of drug abuse, even in primary schools these days, the use of various banned substances is now becoming more rampant and this is worrisome,’’ he said.
The consultant urged the government to take measures to check the importation and sales of illicit drugs, as their abuse was poison to the well-being of youths.
According to him, drug abuse also poses serious challenges to the socio-economic and political stability of the country.
He said the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) saddled with the responsibility of sales and regulation of drugs was working out modalities on how to curtail the menace.
“The Federal Government should make sure those drugs are not accessible, though, they have been doing something on that through taxation. They can do more to regulate it.
“There should be restrictions for drugs that can be easily abused, that you cannot get it over the counter and its sale should be regulated.
“We should always think of the implications or havoc on individuals and the larger society.
“Government should ensure that anybody caught indulging in the act is severely dealt with to serve as deterrent to others,’’ he said.
Sakeeb said there was the need to carryout psycho-education of drug use among youths.
He also urged parents to monitor their children closely and study their emotions.
The health practitioner, however, suggested the use of religion and entertainment as major tools to address the menace of drug use among youths. (NAN)
YAF/KOLE/EEE
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Ese E. Ekama