EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON YOUTHS

What is drug; a drug can be said to be a substance used for medical purposes that change the state or function of the body. It can also be said to be a substance that when taken into the body changes the functin or structure of an organism. Therefore drug abuse is when a drug is taken more than its initial prescription, not only that, in our country today for example; when we feel headache we will just dash into a chemist and buy panadol, this can also be seen as drug abuse. Drug abuse can also be seen as the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription of over the counter drugs. Drug abuse can be further said to be the deliberate use of chemical substances for reasons other than the intended medical purposes and which results in physical mental emotional or social pairment of the user. The abuse of legal drugs can happen when people use drugs other than as directed by the manufacturer or for the purpose that are not legitimate.The abuse of various mood-altering substances has been reported to be prevailing among Nigerian youths. Some substances alter the mind, change the user feelings, perception and behavior when they are used because they exert action on the brain.
Global researchers on drug abuse revealed that early usage of drugs is one of the best predictors of future drug abuse and dependence, for instance youths that start the abuse of drugs before the age of 14 are more vulnerable to drug abuse problems later in life than those who started abusing drugs at the age of 21 and above. There is risk of addiction and adverse health and behavioral consequences when drugs are abused.

           CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE

There are two major causes of drug abuse;

1. Peer pressure
2. Depression
   Others include;
3. Inability to connect with others, lack of friends.
4. Poor performance at work or school.
5. Poor stress coping skills. Etc

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