Kwara Traditional Medicine Practitioners have again been reminded to sustain the promotion of unity and togetherness among themselves, not only in strengthening their practice, but to also support healthcare and general well being of the nation in line with what they do.
The issue was again, raised at a one-day seminar organized by the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Kwara, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Kwara State Drug Control Committee and the Kwara State Ministry of Health, which was also supported by healthcare professionals, educators, and advocates who tirelessly work towards reducing drug abuse and supporting affected individuals in the society.
Tagged “Campaign Against Drug Abuse”, the se.inar held at the Council for Arts and Culture, Ilorin on Saturday January 18, 2025.
The Oba Isegun of Kwara State, Alhaji Mamman-Nuhu Gambari Abubakar in his opening speech commended members for organising the seminar, which he said, will serve as a crucial sensitization for the youths, especially at this crucial time.
He also added that the well attended seminar has again, brought members together, as it will promote unity and tolerance, which he said, the leadership of the association has been pursuing since 1981.
“We have been striving to be one strong association in the whole of the state. We have been on this since 1981, when I was turnaned as the Oba Isegun in the state, and I think we are moving towards achieving that aim.
While highlighting the benefits of doing so, he said that the effort to achieve togetherness under one umbrella is being supported by the government.
The President of Association of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Kwara, Alhaji Chief Abdulwahab Okunrinlolorun charged members on collaboration and research, to compete favourably with current trends in heathcare delivery.
He said that the seminar became necessary, and will be a continuous exercise to check the menace of drug use and abuse among youths in the state and country.
He commended members, as well as all agencies, individuals and groups that supported the programme.
In her lecture at the gathering, Dr. Nimat Bola Idris (BSC, MBBS, ND, McomH, PhD) defines drug as any substance that, when ingested, inhaled, absorbed, or injected into the body, alters normal bodily function.
“Drugs can be used for medical purposes, such as treating or preventing diseases, but they can also be used recreationally or therapeutically to achieve a certain effect on the mind or body.
“Drug abuse refers to the intentional misuse of drugs for non-medical purposes, leading to potential harm to an individual’s health, social life, and overall well-being. This misuse often involves consuming substances in excessive amounts or in ways that are not recommended, resulting in physical and psychological dependence.
She listed the signs and symptoms of drug abuse to include sudden changes in behavior or mood, neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home, withdrawal from social activities and family, unexplained financial issues or stealing, changes in physical appearance, including weight loss or poor hygiene, developing tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effect and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug.
Dr. Nimat called for the need to increase public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse through the implementation of educational programs in schools and communities, strengthening of regulations on prescription medications, encouragement of treatment and rehabilitation for those affected by drug abuse, even as she charged the government and agencies to support research for better understanding and management of drug abuse.
She equally highlighted the differences between use and application of drugs in orthodox and natural medicine practices.
“Globally, the standard practice in drug use involves regulated manufacturing, prescribing, and dispensing by qualified health professionals, and it includes adhering to international guidelines and regulations set by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
“It also entails ensuring drugs are prescribed based on evidence-based practices, monitoring and controlling the distribution of prescription medications to reduce misuse and formulas of dosaging for adults, children, and elders in orthodox and natural medicine practices
“In orthodox medicine, dosages are often determined by factors such as age, weight, and the severity of the condition: For adults, typically have standardized dosages based on average body weight and metabolism. For children, dosages are adjusted according to body weight and developmental stage and for elders, may require reduced dosages due to slower metabolism and increased sensitivity to drugs.
“In natural medicine, dosages might rely more on holistic assessments, considering individual patient needs and herbal remedies’ potency:
Kenneth Odili, the Assistant Commander Operation and Training for the Kwara State Command of the NDLEA, Ilorin listed the risk factors of drug abuse to include friends who use drugs, absence of healthy recreational or leisure interests, early antisocial behavior (e.g.,aggression, hyperactivity, defiance), parental drug use, academic failure, little commitment to school, favourable attitude towards drugs, prenatal exposure to alcohol, family management problems, poorly defined rules, lack of monitoring, excessive discipline, negative communication patterns and poor anger management.
According to him, 213,000 persons, withing ages 15 to 65 use drugs, and out of four men that uses drugs, one is a woman, which he says, call for serious concern. He added that the laws clarifies that been in possession of any illicit drug is an offence.
He listed types of drugs to include caffeine (coffee, energy drinks, tea), nicotine (cigarettes), amphetamines (meth, ecstasy), cocaine and crack, alcohol (beer, wine,vodka, tequila, gin, etc.), heroin, tranquilizers, sleeping pills and marinuana.
“Recreational use of prescription drugs is a serious problem with teens and young adults. Many teens think prescription drugs are safe because they are prescribed by a doctor, but taking them for non medical use to get high or ‘self medicate’ can be just as dangerous and addictive as taking illegal street drugs.
“There are very serious health risks in taking prescription drugs. This is why they are taken only under the care of a doctor, and even then, they have to be closely monitored to avoid addiction or other problems. Many pills look the same. It is extremely dangerous to take any pill that you are uncertain about. People can also have different reactions to drugs due to the differences in each person’s body chemistry. A drug that was ok for one person could be very risky, even fatal, for someone else.
“The consequences of drug use on children are miscarriages, pre-mature birth, low birth weight and birth defects, and the consequences on the society includes drug possession, trafficking, drug manufacturing, theft, robbery, murder, and always results in jail, and many more.
“Addiction is a treatable disease. Brains from addicts are different from the brains of people who are not addicted. It is difficult, in some cases impossible, to return the brain to normal. Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of an individual’s life, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences.
“Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives.
From the NAFDAC, Mrs Mustapha Aminat, who is the Customer Service Officer of the body said that people use drugs because of ma y reasons, which includes to feel good, environmental factor, peer pressure, depression, trauma/stress, easy access to drugs, parental abuse/neglect, idleness/laziness, and recreational purposes.
The listed the treatment options as early detection and treatment, family support, counselling, awareness and regulations through policies. The mop up options she gave are enforcement, surveillance, campaign, routine inspection and monitoring utilization.
She advised members of the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Kwara to seek proper and legitimate certification before practice, and to observe all drug production protocols through proper registration and identified trade marks, before making their products public.