Community Based Intervention In Curbing Drug Abuse Among Students Of Tertiary Institution In Developing Nation
B. Vidona Willy
Department of Anatomy, Edo State University Uzairue, Edo State Nigeria
Charity Willy-Vidona
Department of Microbiology, Edo State University Uzairue, Edo State Nigeria
Keywords: Community intervention, Developing nation, Drug abuse, University stakeholders, Students
Abstract
Drug is a substance that interact the biological system to alter its physiology for good or bad if abused. It is readily available substance that exist in various forms and abused in several forms popularly among the youth with reference to students in tertiary institution in developing nation. Community interventions is discussed as an interplay of stakeholders’ responsibility at community level or firsthand influence on the psyche of the student populace. This review aims to bring to fore the various community based strategies and how their effectiveness could minimally curb the abuse of drug abuse among the youth student population in institutions of higher learning. Factors noted to be responsible for the alarming abuse rate include peer pressure, parental role, availability, stress relief, environmental and cultural influences. The effects of drug abuse is noted to be demonstrated on both individual and society as well as in short term and long term basis, seen in signs such as appetite irregularities, insomnia, increased heart rate, slurred speech, changes in cognitive ability, euphoria, loss of coordination depression, anxiety, increase aggression, paranoia, hallucination, assault, violent crime. The community intervention strategies involve coordinated approach from family, religious and university stakeholders in intensifying the right messages on drug abuse to their members, with partnership support for rehabilitation, capacity, designs and implantation. It is concluded that through expedient modification of existing intervention strategies and its effectiveness on implementation from all community based stakeholders curbing drug abuse can be substantially be achieved. Recommendation by stakeholders to have an effective, coordinated, robust advocacy programme and for government to strengthen required legal framework to support strategies and abusers will formulated, reviewed and amended