Medical consultants have warned in opposition to the consumption of hashish sativa, popularly referred to as weed or Indian hemp, stressing that it has adversarial well being, social and financial implications on shoppers and the society generally.
They gave the recommendation throughout a survey performed by the Information Company of Nigeria within the South-South.
Guide Neuropsychiatric and Head of Division, Psychological Well being, College of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Professor Donald Chukwujekwu, mentioned continued consumption of hashish might result in unfavourable vices and retard the event of a nation.
He famous that the substance can alter sense of judgement and result in crimes that embody kidnapping, theft, rape, amongst others.
He mentioned the bodily impact of the hashish sativa embody temper distortion, redness of the attention, dry mouth, elevated heartbeat, irritation of the respiratory tract and cough.
The Guide Neuropsychiatric highlighted others to incorporate irritability, lack of focus, disorganisation of the physique system and sleeplessness.
Prof. Chukwujekwu mentioned consumption of hashish sativa is addictive as continued consumption would require the particular person to extend the amount to have the ability to obtain the impact that it gave firstly.
He added, ‘’Speaking about society, if people who find themselves to make selections are beneath the affect of hashish sativa, they might make unsuitable selections.”
He, nonetheless, suggested the youths to keep away from psychoactive substances, particularly Indian hemp and methamphetamine, to have the ability to obtain so much in life.
Equally, the State Commander, Nationwide Drug Regulation Enforcement Company, Edo Command, Mr. Buba Wakawa, mentioned consumption of Indian hemp has adversarial impression on youth training and causes household crises.
He mentioned, “For some perceivable causes, substance abuse can result in unemployment disaster. This may in flip result in extra issues for the society. It could actually additionally trigger disaster within the nuclear household, the place the breadwinner expends his earnings on substance abuse and the resultant menace to the society could be unimaginable.
“Once more, individuals who abuse substances are more likely to have psychological well being challenges and such individuals can’t maintain delicate posts both in authorities or in personal outfits.”
Wakawa mentioned these hooked on illicit substances represent an excellent menace to the society, because it might result in anti-social behaviours like cultism, gangsterism, unemotional killings, theft, amongst others.
A Laboratory Scientist, Professor Charles Okiemen, mentioned repeated hashish sativa use had been related to brief and long run adversarial results.
Okiemen mentioned among the results embody respiratory and cardiovascular issues, cognitive alterations, psychosis, schizophrenia and temper issues.
He, nonetheless, famous that despite the unfavourable impact of substance abuse, latest analysis had proposed promising therapeutic potential of cannabinoi-based medication for some medical situations.
In the meantime, the Commandant, Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr. Abidemi Majekodunmi, mentioned it’s the collective accountability of all stakeholders to eradicate the menace of hashish sativa.
Majekodunmi mentioned such collaboration amongst stakeholders was essential to safeguard the way forward for Nigeria.
In line with him, for the reason that youth represent a considerable proportion of the Nigerian inhabitants and are on the centre of consumption of hashish sativa, there may be want for all palms to be on deck to eradicate the menace.
He additional famous that consumption of Indian hemp and different exhausting medication has a direct correlation to crimes in society.
“Drug consumption influences crime and since drug addicts should ‘refuel,’ they commit crimes to get cash.
“We do know that drug consumption and crimes, corresponding to cultism are linked collectively. So, after we make arrests, we hand the suspects over to the NDLEA.
“That is one battle that the society should win if we need to safeguard the way forward for the Nigerian state,” he mentioned.
(NAN)
