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:
Drug categories
Drugs of abuse fall into three groups and these include:
Examples of drugs abused are:
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:
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:
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:
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:
5. IBUPROFEN
A common pain medication taken by lot of people. Also taken by the elderly for “Rheumatism”
Misuse can cause:
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:
7. TETRACYCLINE
The common type is Doxycycline mostly abused without prescription for stomach upset and abortion
Misuse can cause:
8. VITAMIN C
Either that small orange pill or sweet white pills, often chewed by many.
Overdose could cause:
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:
10. FLAGYL
This is one of the most abused Antibiotics, taken with tetracyclineagainst diarrhea
Some side effects if abused:
11. ALABUKUN
An analgesic powder containing aspirin and caffeine. People use it for pain relief.
Abused could cause:
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:
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:
14. LEXOTHAN
One of the most abused drugs by Nigerians in a bid to get good sleep. It sedates!
Dangers of abuse:
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:
………HEALTH IS WEALTH!
