Stop Stigmatizing Drug Addicts
-Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba, Ph.D
Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba, Ph.D joined millions of Nigerians to celebrate this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking otherwise known as World Drug Day with a paper titled, “Stigmatization of Drug Addicts: Understanding the Impact and Importance of Compassion for Addicts”, which she presented at a Seminar for Vigilante Groups in Aba on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 as part of the activities marking the World Drug Day with the theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”.
The legendary political Amazon, inimitable Personnel Management and Industrial Relations guru, indomitable Substance-Use Prevention Advocate and a prominent member of International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) said that the group is committed to prevention of drug abuse among youths in the country.
She made this known at a seminar organized for Vigilante Groups in Aba to mark the World Drug Day 2024 aimed at sensitizing the people on the dangers of drug abuse and its prevention.
The tall, beautiful, versatile, eloquent, astute entrepreneur, educationist, consummate philanthropist and founder of Total Blessing Foundation expressed great satisfaction with the collaboration between ISSUP, Abia State government, the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) in the nation.
She decried the prevalence of drug abuse among the youth in the nation leading to untimely deaths, crime, sexual abuse and other social vices.
According to her, a 2024 report by NDLEA revealed that drug abuse is responsible for the deaths of 2.5 million people annually while 14.4 million people fall into addiction yearly across the nation.
She advocated for a preventive approach to nip drug abuse in the bud stressing that prevention is better than cure.
She called on government, non-governmental organizations, NDLEA and other relevant stakeholders in the War Against Drug Abuse to invest in prevention in line with this year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”.
She urged the youth to abstain from drug abuse to avoid ruining their lives as well as landing themselves into trouble or untimely death.
She admonished the public to stop calling people who are struggling with substance-use-disorder drug addicts stressing that it smacks of stigmatization and has a negative effect on the recovery of such ones as well as the society.
She enjoined them to show love, understanding, compassion and support to persons with substance-use-disorder as it would enable recovery and reduction in crime rate.
The under-listed subheadings are excerpts from her presentation on the one Stigmatization of Drug Addicts: Understanding the Impact and Importance of Compassion for Addicts” Seminar for Vigilante Groups in Aba on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 titled, “Stigmatization of Drug Addicts: Understanding the Impact and Importance of Compassion for Addicts”
WHAT IS STIGMATIZATION?
Definition: Negative labeling, stereotyping, and discrimination against persons who struggle with substance-use disorder.
PREVALENCE OF DRUG ADDICTION IN NIGERIA
It is important to address the issue of stigmatization of persons using drugs in our society because of its negative impact on the healing of such person and attendant negative impact on society, especially on incidences of crime.
According to National Bureau of Statistics survey done in 2016 and 2017 here are some statistics on the prevalence of drug addiction in Nigeria: 14.4% of the population aged 15-64 (approximately 14.3 million people) have used drugs in the past year.
The drug abuse prevalence rate in Nigeria is projected to increase to 40% by 2030 if no action is taken.
EFFECTS OF STIGMATIZATION
Discourages Seeking Help: Stigmatization of drug addicts can discourage them from seeking the help and support they need to overcome their addiction. This can lead to worsening of their condition and perpetuation of the cycle of addiction.
EXACERBATES MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES:
The shame, guilt, and social isolation experienced by drug addicts due to stigmatization can exacerbate their existing mental health problems, making recovery even more challenging.
PERPETUATES HARMFUL STEREOTYPES:
Stigmatization reinforces harmful stereotypes about drug addicts, such as being weak, immoral, or dangerous. This can lead to further discrimination and marginalization of this vulnerable population.
BARRIERS TO RECOVERY AND SUPPORT:
Stigmatization creates significant barriers for drug addicts in accessing the resources, treatment, and support they need to achieve recovery. This can prolong their addiction and lead to poor health outcomes.
PERPETUATION OF ADDICTION
The negative effects of stigmatization, such as discouraging help-seeking, exacerbating mental health issues, and creating barriers to recovery, can ultimately perpetuate the cycle of addiction for many individuals.
HIGHER CRIMINAL TENDENCIES
Stigmatization can push drug addicts towards committing greater crimes.
OBJECTIVES
•CALL TO ACTION: TO PROMOTE COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING
The call to action on the society is for a show of understanding, compassion and support to persons with substance-use disorder as this would enable healing and reduction in crime rate.
CONCLUSION
•SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS
While dealing with the issue of Stigmatization of Drug Addicts, we tried to emphasize the angle of compassion as seeing it from this prism would create an environment for healing. Judgmentalism has great negative impact.
We tried do define Stigmatization, and giving a brief overview of the topic. We also presented statistics showing prevalence of drug addiction in the society, justifying the need for this presentation. We tried to present the negative impact of stigmatization and the need for use of non-stigmatizing language in addressing them. We spoke on the need for education and awareness and gave an overview of Harm-reduction and Evidence-based approaches in handling person using drugs.
To invite her to speak on dangers of drug abuse and prevention, mentorship, politics and governance in your event please email:bnwagba@gmail.com
