Recently, the Organic and Agroecology Initiative in Nigeria invited the Provost of the College to make presentation on the contribution of education to the development of the organic sector in Nigeria during her yearly National Organic Agriculture Business Summit.

Dr. Olufemi AyanfeOluwa of the School of Agriculture ably represented her during the summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan from November 29 to December 2, 2022. Other members of the panellists were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Oyo State, and the President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Oyo State.

During the presentation, the Provost highlighted the efforts of the College to train students and farmers in the principles and practices of organic agriculture as well as in the production of organic produce for the members of her community. During the 3-day event, the College was also able to exhibit some of the produce from her Organic Farm.

HEALTH CORNER: Focus on Drug Abuse

Are you unwittingly abusing drugs?…..

Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals (or medicinal drugs) for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain or overcoming a physiological condition. There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem has been increasing at alarming rates, especially among young adults under the age of 30. Apart from the long term damage to the body drug abuse causes, drug addicts who use needles are also at risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C infections.

Causes of drug use

Drugs of abuse are usually psychoactive drugs that are used by people for various different reasons which may include:

Curiosity and peer pressure, especially among school children and young adults
The use of prescription drugs that were originally intended to target pain relief may have turned into recreational use and become addictive
Chemicals may be used as part of religious practices or rituals
Recreational purposes
As a means of obtaining creative inspiration

Drug categories

Drugs of abuse fall into three groups and these include:

Depressants: These cause depression of the brain’s faculties and examples include sleeping pills (barbiturates) and heroin.
Stimulants: These cause stimulation of the brain, giving rise to alertness and increased bursts of activity. A rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, raised blood pressure, nausea or vomiting and behavioral changes such as agitation, and impaired judgment may also result. In severe cases, there may be delusional psychosis which can occur with the use of cocaine and amphetamines.
Hallucinogens: These cause hallucinations and an “out of this world” feeling of dissociation from oneself. Hallucinogens may cause distorted sensory perception, delusion, paranoia and even depression. Examples include ecstasy, mescaline and LSD.

Examples of drugs abused are:

Alcohol
Tobacco
Cocaine from coca
Opium and opioids from poppy plants
Hashish or marijuana from cannabis
Synthetic drugs such as heroin, ecstasy and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Administration

There are several different routes of administration for drugs of abuse including orally in the form of a pill, intravenously in the form of an injection, by inhaling the substance in the form of smoke or via snorting the substance so it is absorbed into the blood vessels of the nose.

Commonest Drugs Nigerians Abuse: Their Side Effects and Dangers

1.  DICLOFENAC

A lot of people pop these pills for general pains, menstrual pains and bone pains (rheumatism)

In the long run Diclofenac use can cause:

Ulcers
Internal bleeding
Heart attack
Stroke in the Brain
Liver damage
Kidney damage

2.  POSTINOR

This is now a common feature in people’s purses and bags. A common oral contraceptive used by sexually active women to prevent pregnancy

When misused can cause:

Abnormal menstruation
Painful menses
Bleeding
Hair loss
Headache
Increased chances of Breast cancer.

3.  FELVIN

The drug is Piroxicam. It belongs to a class called NSAIDS (just like Diclofenac). It is used during menstruation for pains by a lot of women.

Misuse can cause:

Ulcer
Hypertension
Hearing problem
Kidney damage
Problems with the Pancreas
Liver damage.

4.  COUGH SYRUP

One would wonder why Cough syrups are a best seller in Pharmacies, especially the ones with Codeine. They have various constituents but abusers take it without dosage or restriction.

Misuse can cause:

Psychiatry problems like Hallucinations and Delusions
Addiction
Sudden death

5.  IBUPROFEN

A common pain medication taken by lot of people. Also taken by the elderly for “Rheumatism”

Misuse can cause:

Internal bleeding
Hypertension
Heart attack
It can trigger an asthmatic attack
Kidney failure
Increases your risk of Abortion (controversial)

6.  COFFEE

Coffee, a supposed safe, healthy drink, contains caffeine which is often abused by executives, students and anyone who wants to stay alert at a specific task

Long term use can cause:

Hypertension
Sleep problems
Anxiety
Headache
Abnormal beating of the heart
Not safe in Pregnancy

7.  TETRACYCLINE

The common type is Doxycycline mostly abused without prescription for stomach upset and abortion

Misuse can cause:

Liver damage
Skin problems
Hearing problem
It crosses the Placenta and damages the baby’s bone and teeth

8.  VITAMIN C

Either that small orange pill or sweet white pills, often chewed by many.

Overdose could cause:

Increased of chances of having a Kidney stone which can damage the Kidneys
Effect is worse in people with an underlying kidney problem.

9.  PARACETAMOL

One of the most readily available pain killers, some even use it in cooking meat to make it tender and thus poison those consuming such.

When Paracetamol is overused, it can cause:

Liver damage
Kidney damage.
Careful with paracetamol in children

10.  FLAGYL

This is one of the most abused Antibiotics, taken with tetracyclineagainst diarrhea

Some side effects if abused:

Reduced blood cell count
Damaged brain and nerves
Not safe early in Pregnancy
Controversial link to Cancer in Animals

11. ALABUKUN

An analgesic powder containing aspirin and caffeine. People use it for pain relief.

Abused could cause:

Ulcers
Bleeding
Liver damage
Kidney damage
Heart attack
Hypertension

12.  AMPICLOX

It contains Ampicillin and Cloxacillin. It is abused and misused as an abortion drug, and to treat the so called “toilet infections”.

Dangers when abused:

Dangerous in people with certain allergies
Seizures
Damage the muscles
Kidney problems.

13. CYPROHEPTADINE

Common brand is Cypri-Gold. People have constantly abused it tostimulate appetite, in a bid to gain weight.

Dangers of this abuse include:

Effect blood cells
Damaged liver
Insomnia
Abnormal hand shaking
Ringing in ears
Irregular menstrual cycle
Low blood pressure.

14.  LEXOTHAN

One of the most abused drugs by Nigerians in a bid to get good sleep. It sedates!

Dangers of abuse:

It can be addiction
Dizziness and memory problem
Reduced libido
Liver damage
Stopping it suddenly after long abuse is also dangerous

15.  TRAMADOL

Tramadol is meant to be a strictly regulated drug but sadly, in Nigeria, it is sold cheaply on the streets.

Dangers associated with abuse:

Addiction can cut off your breathing
Seizures
Illusion
Headache
Anxiety.

………HEALTH IS WEALTH!