UNHEALTHY HABIT

Certain community records contain names of people who live to a great age; probably over a hundred years old. It is a fact that most of this centenarians began to care for their health early in life. They avoided endangering their lives of such habit-forming drugs that have been habitual way of lives of most young men and women nowadays. The lives of men and women who have reached the century mark have been free from excesses of all kinds. They have been temperate in passions and appetite. Kind thought and a contented mind have been dominant of their lives. They made it a practice to exercise not only their body, but also their mind by reading good stuffs and discussing important matters.

Ill-health is not only brought on by disease germs, but also caused by wrong habit. For example, wrong habit of using illicit drug (drug abuse) can cause a great damage to the health of the individual involved. Omoluwabi (1989) said “the drug abuse is confined mainly to the use of illicit drugs……” Lambo (1989) also said that drug abuse refers to “the use of a mind-altering drug to an extent that it interferes with an individual social and vocational adjustment or with his health”. Various kinds of drugs abused include alcohol, cigarette, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, tobacco, etc. These have given rise to anti-social behaviors like crime, suicide, neglect of family obligation, insanity, etc.

Alcoholism for an example may result from excessive or uncontrollable urge for its consumption over time. It is appalling that the long term effect becomes evident in all system of the body. Worse still, some at their youthful age end-up at the psychiatric hospitals becoming narcotic or psychotic patients to the detriment of their family. Drug incidence is so much on the increase that some people energize themselves with illegal drug before engaging themselves in reasonable activities. No wonder Udoh (1982) made mention that “people take drugs for socialization, relaxation, fun, experiment, sleep-inducing, medical alertness, and pain relieving”.

However, the person who drinks alcohol either lightly, moderately, or heavily always pays price for indulgence. Alcohol is a drug similar in its effect to other habit forming drug. It is a powerful poison which in man’s body is destructive to both mental and physical processes. The central nervous system is the first to feel its effects. The drinker begins to stagger and feel uncertain on his feet, his brain processes are slowed down. Memory and mental concentration are impaired. Activities involving speed are carried on with reduced efficiency. Even a small amount of alcohol lowers reaction time, that is, the ability of muscles and nerves to react quickly. This is the main reason why it is dangerous for drivers of motor vehicles or aeroplanes to involve in even a small amount of alcoholic liquor. One bottle of beer can impair the sense of distance, slows reaction, lessons judgment. When large amounts are taken, drivers become reckless to the detriment of those on board and road users.

              In summary, knowing fully well that drug abuse is a problem of rich and poor, young and old, literate and illiterate, boys and girls, every individual in every community should observe health rules and maintain total abstinence from drug abuse. Observance of health rules brings good health and perhaps long life. Disregard of health rules and unhealthy way of life brings sickness and could possibly result in early death.