NAS URGES IMO STATE GOVT TO ESTABLISH DRUG ADDICTION REHABILITATION CENTRE, LAMENTS RISING CASES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), otherwise known as the Pyrates Confraternity, wants the Imo State Government to consider establishing a centre for the rehabilitation of persons with drug addiction and mental illnesses in the area.
The association made the appeal in a public lecture it organised in Owerri to mark its annual Feast of Barracuda.
The association expressed concern about the alarming increase in substance abuse by youths in the state, noting that Imo was the only state that is yet to establish a public drug rehabilitation facility in the country.
The President of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) in Imo State, Chief Ikenna Ohaegbulam said the lecture which had the theme “Drug Abuse: Identification and Rehabilitation” was part of the efforts of the group to fight the ills militating against the attainment of a just society.
He also stated the mental health issues were real and also prevalent in all societies but the major difference was that whereas people in developed countries could explore options where those challenges were addressed as medical problems, those who needed the help in Nigeria were further treated with disdain with little or no medical support, which ultimately often led them to life of crime, vagabonding and most times untimely avoidable death.
“They may have lost their way but the society needs to help them find their way back by providing these rehab centers. Most mental health issues can be redeemed or managed with modern medicine.
“We need to seriously take up the mantle to address same. These so called madmen if treated can offer their own quota towards building a better state, nation and world.
“We simply must do more as mental health issues are becoming more rampant these days. We must apply the best practices applicable in other climes to ensure that these people can be given support towards living normally,” he suggested.
Chief Ohaegbulam, who is also a legal practitioner, frowned at the way some mentally unstable persons were manhandled and abused in the name of treatment and control.
“As we know, living with dignity is a Fundamental Human right. Certain practices violate human dignity such as torture, labour exploitation, bonded labour, slavery and social exclusion.
“People, who suffer mental health issues are sadly excluded socially and this is very worrisome, especially if you have friends and family who are affected.
“The good news is that all these mental health and drug abuse issues can be addressed medically, so we pray to the State Government to consider setting up such centres in the State Capital and other locations to address such issues.
“The era of flogging and chastising demons to address such challenges were not only ineffective but abusive. We should not create new problems in a bid to address old ones,” Chief Ohaegbulam cautioned
He added that the group used the annual Feast of Barracuda to reflect and sensitize the public to the ways of tackling the myriads of problems facing the society and World, at large.
Also at the event, the
Assistant Commandant Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)in Imo State, Mr. Shehu Lamuwa, expressed concern about the rising level of substance abuse by youths in the state, echoing that Imo was the only state that is yet to establish a public drug rehabilitation facility in the country.
Mr. Lamuwa explained that NDLEA recently intercepted a truck laden cannabis sativa weighing more than one metric tonne on the Owerri- Onitsha express road enroute Orlu in Imo State and appealed to parents to complement the efforts of the agency in checking drug abuse in the society.
“Mental health issues are increasing and people do not even have no where to go to. We have a rehabilitation center in NDLEA but it is an office, because of the exigencies of our time, we had to create one place for rehabilitation, because of the number and quantum of people that come in that place is not sufficient.
“So if government can build a rehabilitation centre, it is going to serve our people in Imo State, so that issues of mental health and addiction can be treated,” the NDLEA official pleaded.
A consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Dr. Tennyson Usoh, advised those whose relatives had drug abuse-related illnesses and other mental health issues to seek medical attention from experts instead of patronizing herbalists or spiritual homes, whom he said ended up compounding the situation.
He cautioned against stigmatization of persons with mental health challenges, noting that most of the patients returned to normal lives after rehabilitation.
