CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

In both cities and rural area, young people and adults can be seen who have unsound minds. They wander about, sometimes begging for food or money. As they talk to themselves or to others, it can be noticed that they are mentally ill. In the neighbour hood where they live, those who now them well can trace their problems back to excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking and or use of drugs such as marijuana.

Unfortunately, in spite of such evidence of the harmful effects of drugs, healthy people still join in taking drugs. Drug abuse is not limited to any one country. All over the world, the control of illegal trafficking in drugs is a hard task for governments. Those who engage in illegal trade in drugs are determined to continue because, they make big profit.

According to Merck Manual of medical information (2003), substance abuse is the use of mind- altering drugs without medical need, in an amount large enough or over a period long   enough to threaten the quality of life or health and safety of the user or others.

Substances such as alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines among others are now being taken frequently and in large quantities by our youth. Teenagers and youths between the age of 15 and 30 constitute the high risk groups with females also getting involved. Other groups of abusers are divers, conductors, civil servants and artistes.

The drugs or substances that are being taken can be illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin or legal substances such a prescription drugs like paracetamol, chloroquine, cough syrup, e.t.c when used in excess or without medical prescription.

According to APA (2000) in DSM IV TR, substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances that poses significant hazards to health.

Individuals who abuse substances may experience such harmful consequences of substance use as repeated failure to fulfill roles for which they are responsible, legal difficulties or social and interpersonal problems.

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