As a little boy, I grew up in a community where children were allowed to dream big and act like the professionals they would love to become when they grow up. But for many young people today in my community, such dreams are now a mirage. In 2016, we witnessed an outbreak of drug abuse among secondary school students that led to the emergence of cult groups and gangs. The results have been devastating with increased rate of violence among young people, mental illness and school dropouts.
The experience in my community is not an isolated one yet nothing much is been said at a global level about drug abuse which is now a public health concern in many countries of the world. The world’s attention seems to be focused on infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health, and maternal mortality. Drug abuse has remained in the shadow even with its known contribution to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, lung cancer, bronchitis, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, anxiety, depression and psychosis.
This shadow health crisis has a unique way of affecting the very fabric of any society. It affects individuals, families and communities. Yet it frequently underestimated, underreported and underfunded.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report of 2022, around 284 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 used drugs globally. What makes these figures frightening is the fact that young people are using more drugs, with use levels today that is higher than with previous generations. In developing countries, the impact of drug abuse on young people is at an alarming rate because of limited or no access to quality education, economic opportunities, and mental health resources. Young people in these countries begin to experiment with drugs as a way of escaping the harsh realities that confronts them daily.
Drug abuse can be said to be the only known health problem that goes beyond straining healthcare systems to taxing law enforcement agencies and is accompanied by a host of secondary issues like crime and mental health crises. Its impact is not isolated to a specific demographic or geographic region; it transcends borders, cultures, and socio-economic statuses.
Drug abuse is a complex issue and addressing it requires both a comprehensive and compassionate approach. But it is will be difficult to truly solve any problem if its root causes are overlooked. Understanding why drug abuse happens is key to addressing it. Thankfully, there is sufficient research that points poverty, lack of education, and broken families as some of the root causes of drug abuse. Ignoring these factors will only perpetuate the cycle of substance abuse.
The next step towards solving this problem is to invest in prevention. Many nations across the globe have spent billions in drug law enforcement without paying attention to prevention and treatment. This has negatively impaired our overall progress in enhancing drug-free communities across the globe. Prevention starts with education and awareness. Accurate and adequate knowledge remains a powerful tool for drug abuse prevention. Drug Law Agencies must recognize that drug prevention is not an attachment to their main duties; it is a vital component of their duties. There is a need for comprehensive national, regional and state-based policies for drug abuse prevention that takes into consideration the needs and peculiarities of each region. The implementation of these policies must be properly funded and its impact evaluated.Early introduction of drug prevention programs will greatly impact our outcomes. Schools should integrate evidence-based drug prevention programs into their curriculum. Students should be taught life, social and vocational skills that will help them deal with everyday life’s challenges without having to turn to drugs for relief. Negative peer pressure, low self-esteem, curiosity and broken families are the leading causes of drug abuse among young people. Teaching young people life skills for instance will mean empowering them to successfully navigate these risk factors without having to engage in self-destructive behaviors.
The world is changing and so are the dynamics surrounding drug abuse. To be able to do better, we have to invest in research and innovation. There is need to improve addiction treatment and develop alternative pain management methods so that we can reduce the reliance on opioids. There is need for more innovation around easier and cost effective ways of monitoring vital signs, behavioral patterns, and detect signs of drug abuse among young people in a way that alert individuals, parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals when intervention is needed can revolutionalize drug use prevention.
Empowering communities to take the lead in drug abuse prevention and creating a supportive environment for people struggling with drug use.
The role of nonprofit organizations is critical to solving the problem of drug use. Nonprofit organizations especially those that are community-based should collaborate with government and other stakeholders in implementing community-based rehabilitation programs, educational campaigns and creating support groups where recovering and struggling can seek help. This will help to destigmatize addiction and increase the successes of recovery treatment.
The importance of adequate funding in promoting drug-free communities across the globe cannot be overemphasized. The sustainable development goal 3(good health and wellbeing) cannot be fully achieved if target 3.5 is not met. Funding organizations must increase their support for drug prevention projects and support community-based organizations working drug-prone communities. The barriers to such funding should be removed to enable funding to get to those who truly need it.
The task of achieving drug-free communities starts with a global advocacy and should progress to effective policy development,adequate funding, collaboration, research and innovation.