By Suleiman Tajudeen
CITIZENS COMPASS— Drug abuse is the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including illicit drugs and the non-medical use of prescription drugs. Among the most dangerous are methamphetamine, morphine, and opium.
Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant, while morphine and opium are opioid analgesics derived from the opium poppy Papaver somniferum. These substances are abused for euphoria, pain relief, or performance enhancement, but they lead to dependence, disability, and death. Understanding their characteristics and impact is crucial for psychologists, nurses, other healthcare workers, and policymakers in Nigeria and globally (World Health Organization, 2021).
Major Characteristics of Methamphetamine, Morphine, and Opium
Methamphetamine, commonly called “meth”, “ice”, or “crystal”, is a central nervous system stimulant. It appears as a white crystalline powder or translucent rocks and can be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested. It triggers a massive release, producing intense euphoria, alertness, and energy. Addiction develops rapidly due to tolerance and neurochemical changes (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023).
Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic obtained from opium. It is administered orally, intramuscularly, intravenously, or rectally. By binding to mu-opioid receptors, it relieves severe pain and induces sedation and euphoria. Morphine is medically essential for surgery and palliative care but has high potential for physical and psychological dependence (World Health Organisation, 2018).
Opium is the dried latex of the opium poppy, containing morphine, codeine, and other alkaloids. It is usually smoked, swallowed, or brewed as tea. Historically used for pain and diarrhea, opium now has restricted medical use. Illicit opium often contains impurities that increase the risk of infection and overdose (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2022).
Globally, WHO estimated that 39.5 million people used opioids in 2021, with 6.7 million meeting criteria for opioid use disorder. Methamphetamine is the second most abused illicit stimulant after cocaine, with the highest prevalence in North America, East Asia, and Australia (2021).
In Nigeria, the UNODC national drug use survey reported that 14.4% of adults aged 15–64 had used drugs in the past year, far above the global average of 5.6%. Opioids such as tramadol, codeine, and morphine are the most abused due to weak prescription control. Methamphetamine abuse is rising among urban youth, often called “MkpuruMmiri” in southeastern Nigeria. Opium abuse is less common but occurs where illicit poppy products are available (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, 2021, 2018).
Causes of abuse
Peer pressure and social influence, especially among adolescents.
Self-medication for stress, trauma, depression, and chronic pain.
Easy access due to poor regulation and counterfeit drugs in markets.
Poverty, unemployment, and hopelessness that drive escapism.
Curiosity and experimentation during youth.
Family history of substance use disorder and poor parenting.
Lack of public education on health risks.
Use to enhance performance, e.g., meth for energy or opioids for labor.
Cultural acceptance of certain substances in some communities.
Weak law enforcement and corruption in drug trafficking networks (UNODC, 2018).
Effects
Physical effects include rapid weight loss, malnutrition, “meth mouth” from dental decay, skin sores, cardiovascular complications like hypertension and stroke, respiratory problems, and overdose leading to respiratory arrest and death. Opioids cause slowed breathing, constipation, and increased risk of HIV and Hepatitis C through needle sharing (NIDA, 2023).
Psychological effects include euphoria followed by severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Chronic meth use can cause psychosis and cognitive impairment. Opioid users experience dependence, withdrawal symptoms like muscle pain and anxiety, and loss of motivation (WHO). Socially, users face stigma, broken relationships, job loss, and involvement in crime (2018).
Prevention strategies
Prevention requires a multi-sectoral approach:
Health education in schools and communities using evidence-based curricula.
Strict prescription monitoring by NAFDAC and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Safe disposal of unused prescription drugs to prevent diversion.
Life skills training for youth on stress management and refusal skills.
Family-based prevention and early identification of at-risk individuals.
Economic empowerment programs to reduce poverty-related drug use.
Law enforcement actions against trafficking and illegal laboratories.
Workplace drug policies and employee assistance programs.
Media campaigns to dispel myths such as “meth improves performance”.
Routine screening by healthcare workers during consultations (UNODC, 2022).
Management, treatment
To be continued…
For questions and medical consultations, contact: Dr. Suleiman Tajudeen, CEO and Director of Clinical Psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult, Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos. +234 803 402 4457
