THE USE OF PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS AMONG STREET LADIES IN ABA METROPOLIS OF NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Introduction: The use of psychoactive drugs among ladies is engaged in on an alarming increase in the postmodern Nigerian society, as it remains one of the public health and social vices that affects the contemporary human community. Purpose: The objectives of this study were to identify the drugs mostly abused and to determine the risk behaviours they engage in when under the influence of psychoactive drugs. Methodology: This study adopted a cross-sectional approach involving the use of oral interview and a semi- structured questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. This involved 20 interviewees in simple random selection. The data collected were analyzed using a descriptive statistics and statistical test of significance and results presented in charts. Findings: Major findings in this study attest to the fact that the mostly abused psychoactive drugs are Cigarette, Indian hemp, tramadol and codeine, cocaine. The use of psychoactive drugs is precursory to mental health challenges, depression, and behavioural abnormalities among younger women. The risk behaviours engaged when under the influence of these psychoactive drugs are aggressiveness/ ready to fight, unrestricted sexual activities, desire for more drug use. Consequently, the study findings maintain that the perpetration of heinous crimes that are carried out in the society cannot be independent of the influence of drugs, since the abused psychoactive drugs alter the normal function of the brain thus affecting the mental health of the user. Contribution to theory, practice and policy: Therefore, public health education and promotion with a focus on dissuading the unrestricted circulation and abuse of psychoactive drugs, especially among Aba young ladies is perceived profitable. Conclusion and Recommendation: Community awareness regarding drug and substance among women and constant checkmating of the activities of street girls should be carried out.

Students’ Perceptions on Drug Abuse and Academic Performance in Computer Science and Allied Subjects

Given the high rate of drug abuse in society, this study investigates how much of its knowledge is available to secondary school students. Also evaluated is the perceived effect of drug abuse on their academic achievement in subjects such as Computer science and allied subjects. A questionnaire was developed to obtain the respondents’ opinion with 304 responses analyzed for this study. This research reveals that the majority (97.4%) of students know about drug abuse and the harm it causes to health. The most abused drugs by the students surveyed are Alcohol (5.9%), Tobacco (3.3%), and Marijuana (Indian hemp) (2.3%). The hypotheses tested showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) relationship between the type of school (public/private) a student attends and their tendency to abuse drugs, as well as how much knowledge is possessed by the students. We conclude that the academic performance of students can be negatively influenced by the abuse of drugs.

Konopie siewne Cannabis sativa L. – jeden z najstarszych gatunków roślin użytkowych

The species Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) includes fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. sativa) and indian hemp (narcotic) (Cannabis sativa L. var. indica), differing in the level of cannabinoids, mainly Δ9THC, which in fiber hemp is below 0.2%. Fiber hemp is a plant widespread around the world, cultivated mainly for its fiber, used for a variety of purposes. The seeds are used in the food, cosmetic industries and birds food. The medicinal use of cannabis has been known for over 5,000 years. The pharmacological properties of the cannabinoids dominant in indian hemp make them useful in the treatment of various diseases. The presence of the psychoactive Δ9THC is controversial.

Assessment of Causes and Effects of Drugs and Substances Abuse among Youth: A Case Study of Katsina Metropolis (North West Nigeria)

Aims: To determine the cause, effect and type of drugs commonly abuse among youth in Katsina metropolis. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional design carried out in Katsina metropolis in June to September 2018. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional design was used for the study where by 384 respondents were selected through a purposive and snowball sampling techniques to select the study subject from the study areas. A validated and structured interviewer administered questionnaire (IAQ) was used to collect data from the respondents. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Findings from the study showed that peer pressure 75(19.5%) and desire for enjoyment 51(13.3%) are the major cause associated with the abuse of drugs by the respondents. The most commonly abused substances by the respondents include Tobacco 112(29.2%), Codeine 68(17.7%) Marijuana (Indian hemp) 55(14.3), and cola nut 17(3.4%) and majority of the respondent perceive negative effect of poor health (madness) 212 (55.2%) as the major effect and aggressive behavior’s 71(18.5%). Conclusion: The major cause of substance abuse among youth are peer pressure and desire for enjoyment, common effect is poor health and Tobacco is the common abuse drug. It is therefore recommended that Parent should take good care of their children during teenage age and government should control the production and supply of these illicit substances.

Cannabis and psychosis: revisiting a nineteenth century study of ‘Indian Hemp and Insanity’ in Colonial British India

BackgroundIn nineteenth-century British India, concern regarding large numbers of asylum patients with ‘Indian Hemp Insanity’ led to establishment of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission. The exotic cannabis plant was widely used in pharmacopeia and a source of government revenue. The Commission was tasked with determining the public health risks of cannabis use, particularly mental illness. This analysis of the Commission report seeks to highlight the status of 1892 cannabis research and compare it with current evidence for medical and recreational cannabis use.MethodsDetailed historiographic review of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report (1892).ResultsIn 1892, heavy cannabis use was considered to have been associated with severe mental illness (7.3% of asylum patients; 12.6% of patients with diagnoses). About two-thirds were children and young adults with higher relapse rates. Risk increased with early cannabis use and a family history of mental illness. Cannabis psychosis was found to have a shorter trajectory and better prognosis than other mental illnesses in the asylums. Different cannabis potency and modes of consumption had different effects. Occasional cannabis use was felt to have medicinal benefits for some. Appendices provided symptoms and demographic characteristics of cannabis-induced mental illness.ConclusionThis important nineteenth-century study observed frequency and dose-related effects of cannabis on mental health, particularly psychotic symptoms in young people with a previous or hereditary risk of mental illness. Pathophysiological observations were consistent with current knowledge. As one of the most systematic and detailed studies of the effects of cannabis of the time it foreshadowed contemporary cannabis issues.

Effect of Insecurity of School Environment on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Imo State

The major aim of this study was to investigate the effect of insecurity of school environment on the academic performance of secondary school students in Imo state, Nigeria. A total of 1000 made up of 500 each of male and female students responded to a self-structured validated questionnaire designed for the study. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Means and standard deviations were calculated to answer the research questions and independent samples t-tests were used for testing the hypotheses. Major findings revealed that insecurity of school environment significantly affects the academic performance of secondary school students while students’ gangsterism, smoking of Indian hemp, abusing other hard drugs, cult and related violent activities were some of the factors that constituted insecurity of the school environment which eventually cause boys to leave school and join trading while leading girls to drop out and settle for marriage. Based on the findings, it was recommended that owners of schools and other stakeholders in education should take bold steps to fence and protect school environments from intruders to ensure safety of the students.