Don canvasses drug abuse courses for undergraduates

The Medical Director and Consultant in charge of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kware Sokoto, Dr. Shehu Sale, has advocated the introduction of courses on drug abuse in tertiary institutions to tackle the menace in the society.

Sale, who is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, gave the advice yesterday at the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, during the 19th seminar series of the institution titled, “The Implication of Drug Abuse: Medical and Sociological Perspectives”.

He urged Nigerians to shun drug abuse considering its implications in the development of society.

Sale, who was also the guest speaker, further said that the cause of drug abuse includes drug factors, personality, genetics, social and psychiatric factors.

He classified drug abuse as depressants, stimulants and hallucinogen, adding that when an individual abuses drugs and becomes addicted, the implication would progress rapidly as addiction is a developmental disease, which is chronic on the brain.

Besides, he maintained that developing other certificate courses for primary health care workers could enhance their ability to detect substance abuse and make referrals to specialist centres.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. B.B. Shehu, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Kasimu Shehu, thanked the speakers for the presentation.

He said the university would look into the recommendations.