By Remi Adebayo
Government at all levels have been urged to collaborate with other stakeholders to
reduce the increasing use of synthetic drug among youths in the country to the minimum .
The Chief Medical Director Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Budo Egba, Kwara state, Dr. Issa Awoye,made the call in his presentation, titled, the Neuropsychiatric Consequences of Synthetic Drug Abuse: A Clinical Perspective at the second Kwara stakeholders’ summit on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control,held in Ilorin.
According to him the country has seen a rise in the production, trafficking and consumption of synthetic drugs, particularly among young people.
He listed synthetic drugs commonly abused to include tramadol, codein cough syrup, methamphetamine (meth), rohypnol, ecstasy among others.
Dr. Awoye said the drugs are often cheaper and more accessible than traditional narcotics which pose significant risks to individuals and society.”
He identified corruption within law enforcement and regulatory agencies as one of the challenges hampering efforts to control drug trade in the country.
The medical expert noted that inadequate resources for drug control and rehabilitation programmes also restrict effectiveness of the fight against drug abuse.
In his address, special assistant to Kwara state governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Mukail Aileru, said the state government is committed to tackling the growing menace of drug abuse.
He explained that the rising crisis of synthetic drugs poses a significant threat to public health, security, and the future of the youth”.
