Types of Drugs used in Nigeria

SOME TYPES OF DRUGS USED IN NIGERIA

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SOME TYPES OF DRUGS USED IN NIGERIA

Research has shown that In 2014 there were an estimated 246 million (range 162-324 million) people in the world that have used an illegal drug in the past 12 months. The drugs used include cannabis, opiates (such as heroin), cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants and inhalants and solvent such as glue. Globally the most common illegal drug is cannabis. In Nigeria, drug use problems are found throughout the country but there are no official estimates of the number of drug users in the country. however, the numbers are considered large enough to be of concern.

Type Of Drugs Used In Nigeria

Amphetamine-Type stimulants: Amphetamines are synthetic (chemical, not a natural product) stimulant drugs and speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Amphetamines are generally swallowed but are also injected, smoked or snorted. A type of amphetamine called methamphetamine commonly comes in small chunky clear crystals that look like ice, while amphetamine commonly comes in powder form. Methamphetamine is generally stronger, more addictive and causes more harm. When it is smoked or injected the effect is usually in 3-7 seconds, but if swallowed the effect takes place in 15-30 minutes. The duration of the effect can last up to 6 hours.

Common names for amphetamine and methamphetamine in Nigeria

• Players
• Boys
• Nuts
• Speed
• Uppers
• Heart
• Heat
• Ice
• Crystal
• Fire
• Glass

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

• Euphoria (intense excitement and happiness)
• High levels of energy
• Excitement
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Increased confidence and talkativeness
• Reduced appetite (less hungry)
• Excessive Sweating
• Increased sex drive

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
• Feeling powerful or better than others
• Becoming hostile or aggressive
• Reduced appetite and extreme weight loss
• Restless sleep
• Dry mouth and dental problems
• Regular colds and flu
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty breathing
• Muscle stiffness
• Anxiety, paranoia, psychosis
• Depression
• Heart and kidney problems
• Increased risk of stroke
• Needing to use more to get the same effect
• Dependence on amphetamines

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

1. Withdrawal symptoms: Amphetamine or methamphetamine generally fade after a week and most disappear after a month. some withdrawal symptoms can include: cravings for drugs, increased appetite, confusion and irritability, aches and pains, exhaustion, restless sleep and nightmares and anxiety,  depression and paranoia.

2.       Inhalants and solvents: Are sometimes referred to as volatile substances and found in household, industrial and medical products- including glue, paint, petrol, aerosols, cleaning fluid, and gases- which produce vapour that some people (mostly adolescent and young people) breathe in via the nose or mouth to get intoxicated or ‘high'. inhaled fumes enter the bloodstream quickly and the effects are experienced in a few seconds often lasting 2-45 minutes. The effect can be similar to alcohol. Regular use can result in dependence.

Common Names For Inhalants and Solvents in Nigeria

•  Shaba
•  Dogua
•  Solution
•  Helicopter and Shisho

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

• Initial “High”
• Giggling and laughing
• Drowsiness and headaches
• Bloodshot or glazed eyes
• Blurred vision
• Nosebleeds, Runny nose or sneezing
• Bad breath
• Agitation and aggression

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Irritability and depression
• Memory loss
• Reduced attention span and ability to think clearly
• Pimples, rashes or blisters around the mouth and lips
• Tremors (body shaking), weight loss and tiredness
• Loss of sense of smell and hearing

The majority of long-term effects can be reversed if the person stops using solvents but some cleaning and other products can leave permanent damage to the brain.

Withdrawal symptoms usually start 24-48 hours after the last use and can last for 2 to 5 days. common withdrawal symptoms can include headache, nausea and stomach pain, anxiety and depression, tiredness and tremors, body cramps and hallucinations(seeing and sensing something that does not exist).

3. Cough syrup: some cough and cold medicines are mind-altering at higher-than-recommended dosages. cough medicines are easy to purchase, relatively cheap, often do not require a doctor's prescription and misuse is reported in Nigeria. A common ingredient found in many coughs and cold medications at either dextromethorphan (DXM) or promethazine-codeine. cough and cold medicines are mostly in tablet,   capsule, or syrup form. Some people mix cough syrup with flavoured drinks, alcohol or cannabis.

 Common Names For Cough Syrup (e.g. Codex, Excel) in Nigeria

• Koko
• Coco
• Crude oil
• Slow
• Yaro
• Mantua
• Benylin with Codeine

SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECTS

Euphoria, calming, numbness, nausea or vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure, slurred speech, dizziness and blurry vision.in higher doses, there can be sensations of physical distortion and hallucinations. Promethazine-codeine cough syrup can lead to a higher risk of fatal overdose (slowing or stopping the heart and lungs) and this increases when mixed with alcohol. long time use can lead to physical and psychological dependency.

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Sleep disturbances, nausea, fast pulse, raised blood pressure, sweating, weakness and headaches. To address dependency, detoxification and rehabilitation will be required.

THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION WERE DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH UNODC AND NIGERIAN STAKEHOLDERS FROM GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS WORKING ON DRUG ISSUES AND CAN IN NO WAY BE TAKEN TO REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

Note:

This content is shared online by HABFAT- Olukolu Habeeb

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