Drug Abuse: Ten Drugs Nigerian Youths Get ‘High’ On

The alarming rate at which young Nigerians abuse drugs must be a source of worry for stake holders. Only last week, the Senate revealed that over 3 million bottles of codeine are consumed everyday in northern Nigerian alone.

Although majority of the users are teenagers and young adults, older people too take these substances. Senator Oluremi Tinubu once revealed why more women are turning to drugs and becoming drug addicts; she said they change because their husbands maltreat them.

Here are ten of the most commonly abused drugs in Nigeria.

Codeine:

Fatal side effects can occur if you use codeine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

It is arguably one of the most abused drug in Nigeria today

Oxycontin:

Side effect of oxycontin Include chills, cold sweats, confusion, difficult or labored breathing, dizziness, fairness, lightheadedness, fever, tightness in chest, rapid weight gain, sunken eyes

Percocets:

Percocet is not to be used than is recommended. An overdose of percocets can cause nausea, pain in the upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Valium:

This is an old drug that have spanned many years as a means of getting high for drug addicts.When over used it can cause confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger; depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or of one hurting oneself;hyperactivity, agitation, aggression, hostility;new or worsening seizures;weak or shallow breathing, a feeling like you might pass out;muscle twitching, tremor;loss of bladder control; or little or no urinating.

Tylenol:

The best thing to do is to call a doctor if there are signs of skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling;they are side effects of tylenol

Clonazepam:

It is not advisable to use clonazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or severe liver disease, or if you are allergic to Valium or a similar medicine.

Tramadol:

Fatal side effects can occur if you use tramadol with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking this medicine. Tramadol may be more likely to cause a seizure if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, narcotic, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.

Acetaminophen:

An overdose of acetaminophen can damage one’s liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Paracetamol:

It is not advisable to use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of paracetamol can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of paracetamol for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more paracetamol could cause damage to one’s liver. If one drinks more than three alcoholic beverages per day, more than 2 grams of paracetamol could be fatal.

Xanax:

Side effects include dizziness ,fever, tightness in chest, rapid weight gain, sunken eyes blurred vision.slurred speech.weakness and respiratory depression, coma.