Medical researchers are calling for urgent health and policy interventions to effectively address Nigeria’s opioid crisis.
In a recent publication in The Lancet, Kehinde Arale, a researcher at the Radoke Akintola University of Technology Faculty of Medicine, and Abdulbasit Muiri, a medical resident, urge governments to implement regulatory changes, public health campaigns and international cooperation to address the issue. requested that it be resolved. current crisis.
They say community-based prevention efforts need to be scaled up, focusing on early intervention, education and alternative opportunities for at-risk groups.
They also emphasized evidence-based practices that address both the psychological and physical aspects of addiction, and noted the need to improve access to treatment and rehabilitation programs.
The authors argue for stronger regulation of the sale and distribution of opioids, while decriminalizing drug use and focusing on treatment rather than punishment to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and make it more accessible to more people. It says it can encourage people to seek help.
“The opioid crisis in Nigeria is a complex and growing problem that requires urgent and concerted action. By adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses both the immediate and root causes of opioid abuse, , Nigeria can begin to address this public health emergency and build a healthier and more resilient society,” the authors said.
Nigeria faces an opioid abuse epidemic as opioids such as tramadol and codeine are widely available and frequently misused.
Rampant abuses in Nigeria affect both urban and rural areas, where educational and medical resources are scarce.
The authors identify morphine, pentazocine, codeine, and tramadol as commonly abused opioids, with a prevalence of 14.4 percent in 2019, and this number is likely to increase. .
These drugs are often sold without a prescription and are easily available, leading to widespread misuse and addiction.
Cultural attitudes toward drug use also contribute to the opioid crisis, researchers say, with drug use becoming normalized or seen as a way to cope with stress and social pressure in some communities. points out.
They said acceptance in these communities, combined with stigma against people who use drugs in other communities, makes it difficult to address the issue openly and effectively.
The health consequences of opioid abuse in Nigeria are serious and far-reaching. Opioid misuse causes many health problems, including respiratory depression, overdose death, and increased risk of infections such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis due to unsafe drug use.
The psychological strain on individuals and their families often results in a cycle of social isolation, mental health disorders, and poverty.
Nigeria’s health system is ill-equipped to manage the growing number of people suffering from opioid addiction. Health infrastructure is strained due to lack of facilities and resources, and few treatment centers are available.
Furthermore, due to the lack of training in addiction medicine in Nigeria, there are few health professionals with the necessary skills to deal with addiction and its sequelae, and who are unable to provide care or preventive and early intervention for affected individuals. implementation of successful initiatives is further hampered, the authors say. .
The government has made efforts to address the opioid crisis, but these measures have been insufficient.
They further argue that policies aimed at regulating the sale of opioids are poorly enforced, and that law enforcement efforts focused primarily on criminalization have done little to stop the supply and demand for opioids. They say it is unhelpful and often leads to further marginalization of people addicted to opioids.
