National drug abuse
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National Drug Abuse: A Comprehensive Overview
Prevalence and Impact of Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse in Nigeria
The burden of drug abuse in Nigeria is a significant public health concern, with prevalence rates ranging from 20% to 40% among students and 20.9% among youths. Commonly abused substances include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup, and tramadol. The primary sources of these drugs are pharmacies, open drug markets, drug hawkers, and fellow abusers. The most affected groups are undergraduates, secondary school students, commercial bus drivers, farmers, and sex workers. The main reasons for drug use include enhancing physical performance, stress relief, and pleasure. Socioeconomic factors and low educational backgrounds are major risk factors associated with drug abuse in Nigeria1.
Prescription Drug Abuse in the United States
In the United States, prescription drug abuse has been rising sharply, with significant increases in the nonmedical use of opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants. Statistics show that 6.4 million Americans used prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs nonmedically in the past month, with pain relievers being the most commonly abused. The nonmedical use of these drugs among young adults aged 18-25 increased from 5.4% in 2002 to 6.3% in 2005. The United States consumes 80% of the world's opioid supply and 99% of hydrocodone, despite limited evidence of their effectiveness in improving pain or functional status3.
National Trends in Substance Abuse
National trends indicate that marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug, with significant increases in its use among the general population, emergency department visits, and arrestees. Despite a general decline in drug use in the civilian noninstitutionalized population, drug-related cases in emergency departments and drug use among arrestees have shown recent increases4.
National Drug Abuse Treatment and Policies
National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) established the CTN in 1999 to bridge the gap between research and practice in addiction treatment. The CTN has completed 20 trials involving over 11,000 participants, testing various pharmacological, behavioral, and integrated treatment interventions for adolescents and adults. This network fosters collaboration between community-based treatment providers and university-based researchers, enhancing the relevance of research to practice and facilitating the implementation of evidence-based treatments2.
National Drug Control Policy
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) monitors national trends in illicit drug abuse and drug markets. Reports indicate that while the markets for heroin and cocaine remain stable, marijuana continues to be popular among young people, often used in combination with other substances. Emerging drugs like methamphetamine and club drugs such as LSD and Ketamine are also prevalent in various regions7.
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
The NSDUH provides annual data on the prevalence and correlates of drug use in the United States. The survey covers illicit drug use, alcohol, and tobacco, and includes questions on age of first use, lifetime use, and past month use among respondents aged 12 and older. The survey also addresses substance abuse treatment, mental health issues, and the impact of substance use on health and social outcomes5.
Conclusion
The national landscape of drug abuse presents a complex and evolving challenge. In Nigeria, socioeconomic factors and accessibility to drugs contribute significantly to the high prevalence of abuse among youths and students. In the United States, the rise in prescription drug abuse underscores the need for better education, monitoring, and policy interventions. Collaborative efforts between research and practice, as seen in the CTN, and comprehensive data collection through surveys like the NSDUH, are crucial in developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Addressing drug abuse requires a multifaceted approach involving community, government, and healthcare systems to mitigate its impact on public health.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The Burden of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological Studies and Drug Laws
The burden of drug abuse in Nigeria is high despite existing laws, policies, and strategies, and prevention measures should target youths, students, drug sources, and risk factors.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalThe first decade of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network: bridging the gap between research and practice to improve drug abuse treatment.
The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) has improved drug abuse treatment quality by bridging the gap between research and practice, facilitating the development and implementation of evidence-based treatments in community practice settings.
National drug control policy and prescription drug abuse: facts and fallacies.
Prescription drug abuse is escalating due to lack of education, ineffective prescription monitoring programs, and reactive approaches, highlighting the need for a comprehensive overhaul of national drug control policy.
Highly CitedEpidemiology of illicit and abused drugs in the general population, emergency department drug-related episodes, and arrestees.
Recent increases in marijuana use have been observed in the general population, emergency department episodes, and arrestees, despite a general decline in drug use.
Observational StudyNational Survey on Drug Use and Health
The NSDUH provides information on drug use and health in the United States, with most data being publicly available.
Highly CitedNational Institute on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) aims to advance scientific understanding of drug abuse and addiction, enhancing prevention, treatment, and policy development through rapid dissemination of research results.
Highly CitedUnderstanding and Preventing Drug Abuse
NIDA's research on drug use and its causes has significantly contributed to effective prevention and treatment methods.
Results from the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings
The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 8.3% of the population aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users, with marijuana being the most commonly used illicit drug.
Highly CitedCharacteristics of substance abuse treatment programs providing services for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C virus infection, and sexually transmitted infections: the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network.
Substance abuse treatment programs vary in corporate structure, revenue source, patient census, and staffing, with more focus on HIV/AIDS than HCV or STIs.
Observational StudyHighly Cited