ABUSE OF COUGH SYRUPS AND OTHER DRUGS AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS, HARMFUL AND A THREAT, Medical Practitioner warns!

A medical practitioner and staff of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Steve Anyebe has warned against the abuse of cough syrups and some analgesics by youths and housewives in Kaduna State, citing dangerous health consequences and an increase in societal vices and insecurity.

Dr. Anyebe listed Dextromethorphan and Promethazine-codine syrups, Tramadol, high dose Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), etc as some of the drugs being constantly abused. Thus these youths, mostly students and house wives often use these drugs for reasons other than those for which the drugs are indicated. He explained that these drugs when abused lead to high levels of a chemical DOPAMINE in the body.

Abusing these drugs can lead to adverse effects such as nausea, vomitting, numbness, impaired motor function, extreme agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, body temperature and build up of acid in the body, he said.

Dr. Anyebe called for the attention of parents, government and concerned authorities in order to stem this ugly trend “before the trend leads to addiction which will destroy the individual and makes the abuser engage in other vices." He further added that stricter laws be promulgated to regulate the sale of cough syrups and other drugs and substance of abuse. He also appealed to the media to step up awareness of the dangers of drug abuse while social support and rehabilitation be made available for those who are already addicted.