The mind exists
yet not structural but the brain as an organ facilitates the functions of the
mind hence the aphorism that the mind and the brain are two sides of a coin. We
know that whatsoever alters the function of the brain has a consequent
correlate in the mind. The chemicals that facilitate human behavior through the
brain and allied structures are regulated by a physiological system that does
not require supply from extraneous sources except in the case of an illness
when drugs are prescribed. Every society has always had to grapple with the
fundamental human needs for meaning, pleasure and motivation. I think what separates
us from animals is that our brain, which facilitates the functions of the mind,
also has sophisticated needs. In adolescence, the mind acquires an abstractive
appetite with the hypothetico- deductive reasoning when ideas are tested in the
environment and feedbacks are analyzed to be incorporated to modify human
behavior. This exercise is not without its frustrations which is the most
outstanding challenge across life span. When we are adjusted to the rhythm of life,
the biological clock helps to make available appropriate chemicals from the
innate store to fulfill these psychic needs. When there is an experience of a
low feeling; human beings mount coping strategies that could be mystical or
religious or the abuse of drugs. We have
various brands of alcohol and other substances capable of modulating the brain
to give a transient experience of fulfillment, release and energy. Some over
the counter drugs are misused especially for sleep and for temporary escape
from the challenges of life. Marijuana
is one of the most popular and the age of initiation is as low as nine years.
There are other local substances in our villages that are not in the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
gazette of drugs of abuse. Some can
excite the normal functions of the brain just as some slow it down with varied
experiences in the mind. These substances no doubt can
facilitate a transient feeling of energy and fulfillment but with a gamut of
damages to the same organ that is crucial for our participation in life. They
are capable of causing mental illness even when there is no such history in the
family. Drug addiction is responsible for a certain percentage of our youths
engaged in armed robbery and wild expensive adventures. A good number of early
school dropouts are traceable to drug addiction. A reasonable number of HIV-AIDS cases are due
to sexual recklessness under the influence of these drugs. Violence whether
political, religious or ethnic is facilitated by the use of drugs especially marijuana,
which makes their target, appear like ants. Routes of administration especially
when injected can cause infections of vital organs as well as HIV-AIDS as
needles are shared.
Technically, any substance
that impairs our judgment and incapacitates us to fulfill our basic social
roles to self, family and society is dangerous. Alcohol consumption is
gradually becoming a big issue especially in the context of our current socio-
economic situation where increasing number of family heads deposit a sizeable
amount of their salary at the beer parlor before thinking of school fees, house
rents or medical bills. Such folks continue to drink even against their
doctor’s advice. A good number of our road traffic accidents
are preventable if drivers can abstain from the use of drugs especially alcohol.
Some serious top-level government decisions are taken under the influence of
drugs with attendant grave consequences for generations unborn. Marital
conflicts with attendant physical assault are very common when a partner
escapes into the use of drugs in coping with the marriage. Parenting becomes impaired as children grow
unsupervised making them vulnerable to peer pressure that links them to the
drug culture. Even when a reasonable
amount of wealth is acquired, a child who is hooked on drugs will squander it
to satisfy his cravings. The challenge of drug addiction is that the victim
will always require an increasing amount of the substance to achieve the
original feel.
Prevention is the keyword and the most vulnerable period is adolescence
although some start at midlife and at some other downturns in life. Parents
need to be alert to abrupt changes in behaviors of their children who may start
withdrawing from family discussions, have new but strange friends, more
argumentative, come home late and disobey instructions. Teachers can also watch
out for drug groups and institute counseling as soon as possible. Sound religious instruction as an adaptive
coping mechanism for life challenges is indispensable. There
will always be a need for established cases to be referred to mental health
experts because they will need immediate intervention as they can become
very dangerous to self, family and society.
Dr. Adeoye Oyewole.
adeoyewole2000@yahoomail.com
+234 803 490 5808 (WhatsApp Only)
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