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.
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