{"title":"Prioritizing public health responses in Nigerian drug control policy","authors":"Ediomo-ubong E. Nelson, I. Obot, O. Umoh","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V16I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V16I1","url":null,"abstract":"Nigeria’s drug control policy, a throwback to colonial dangerous drugs control legislations, is remarkable for its reliance on severe sanctions to curb drug offences. The establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1990 took drug control in Nigeria to a crescendo. The agency amalgamates the functions of supply control and demand reduction in a highly-centralized bureaucracy. Although it has been successful in the seizure of drugs and arrest and punishment of offenders, its impact on drug use and related problems is negligible. the success is tainted by rampant corruption and the cost of law enforcement. The development of a comprehensive drug policy which prioritizes demand reduction through public health measures such as prevention and treatment is hampered by the bureaucracy of drug law enforcement, whose direction cannot be changed without altering the structure of the organization. The devolution of functions through the creation of a new agency on drug demand reduction is a step in the right direction. Keywords: drugs, policy, public health, law enforcement, Nigeria","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"16 1","pages":"49-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prior substance use, depression and gender as determinants of self-harm urges in prison inmates: A study of Uyo Prison","authors":"Mfon E. Ineme, H. Osinowo","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V15I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V15I1","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined prior substance use, depression and gender as determinants of selfharm urges in prison inmates. It was a survey utilizing ex-post facto design. A total of 183 male and 29 female inmates from Uyo prison participated in the study. Their mean age was 34.4years. Multi-stage sampling method was used. The t-test results {t (210)=2.89, p<.01} showed that inmates who used psychoactive substances before imprisonment reported higher self-harm urges than those who did not use. Also, inmates with high depressive symptoms reported higher self-harm urges than those with low depressive symptoms {t (210)= 4.21, p<.01}. The interaction of prior substance use and depression was significant, Wilks Lambda = .72, F (1, 210) = 19.02, p = <.01, partial eta squared = .17. A post-hoc test was conducted using LSD to show multiple comparison effect. Furthermore, the t-test results {t (210)= 2.60, p<.01} showed that female inmates reported higher self-harm urges than their male counterparts. The findings of this study have implications on the involvement of psychologists and other mental experts in the management of the prison system. Keywords: Self-harm urges, prior substance use, depression, gender, prison inmates","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"15 1","pages":"61-73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Drug interaction s in the constituents of street drug mixture“Nyaope”in South Africa: a mini-review","authors":"A. Khine, Kedibone Elizabeth Mokwena","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V15I2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V15I2","url":null,"abstract":"Nyaope is a unique South African street drug mixture thought to contain illicit drugs and other compounds and is usually inhaled after wrapping in the Cannabis leaf. Despite its illegalization in March 2014, abuse of Nyaope is on the increase. While highly addictive, withdrawal symptoms are very severe, unbearable and drive the user to desperately seek for the next fix. Due to the lack of knowledge in its composition and how the constituents interact with each other, treatment for withdrawal symptoms and rehabilitation has been a challenge. A mini-literature review was done to explore how the major constituents of Nyaope relate to each other in their actions and in their path of breaking down (metabolism). The literature suggests that the inside opiate group, in between opiates and benzodiazepines, in between opiates and cannabis group, in between benzodiazepines and phenobarbitals, and also amongst the minor constituents, there are extensively shared the metabolic pathways which lead to longer plasma half-life in each of these drugs and thus synergistic effects. These shared pathways are via the cytochrome P450 family of enzymes in the liver cell cytoplasm and these enzyme actions are to inactivate or detoxify the drugs or convert them to more water soluble compounds in order to excrete them through the kidneys. Not only sharing the metabolic pathways, but also the actions of these drugs at certain receptors in the brain have either opposing or stimulating effects on one another, making the complex nature of their combined actions. Such findings can explain the unique withdrawal symptom complex of Nyaope, which is important for the clinicians and public health workers who are dealing with the users. Understanding the biochemical and metabolic basis of Nyaope drug interactions provides valuable insight towards the development of withdrawal signs and symptoms which may contribute to the targeted treatment program. Keywords: Nyaope, drugs of abuse, withdrawal symptoms, drug synergy, metabolism","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"15 1","pages":"91-101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Substance abuse and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among patients attending clinic at a specialist hospital in Jos, Nigeria","authors":"S. Goar, M. Audu, M. Agbir, B. Matawal","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V14I1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V14I1","url":null,"abstract":"Substance abuse does not only increase susceptibility to HIV/AIDS through high risk Sexual behaviors but it also hastens the progression of the disease among infected persons than in those who do not abuse drugs. Furthermore, drug use impairs adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) leading to reduction in ART effectiveness and ultimately increased HIV-related mortality. In North Central Nigeria there is a dearth of information concerning the influence of substance abuse on adherence to ART which has substantially altered the fate of HIV-infected people. The objectives of this study therefore, were to determine the type of substances abused by HIV-infected patients attending clinic at Plateau State Specialists Hospital (PSSH) and to determine the effect of substance abuse and sociodemographic factors on adherence to ART among these patients. Ethical approval was obtained before the commencement of the study which was crosssectional in design. The study was carried out at the infectious disease unit of the Plateau State Specialists Hospital, Jos among 160 consecutive patients. The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was used for the assessment of the types of substance abused and AIDS Clinical Trials Group(ACTG) adherence instrument was used to assess reasons for non- adherence. The results showed that 61.9% of the patients did not use any substance of abuse, 38.1% either abused one substance or a combination of substances. Substance abuse were ( p = 0.0001), alcohol abuse (p = 0.003) and educational status ( p = 0.0001) significantly associated with non-adherence to ART while, age ( p = 0.954), employment status ( p = 0.924) and marital status ( p = 0.466) were not. However, logistic regression revealed that only alcohol abuse (B = -1.383, df = 1, p = .002) predicted non adherence to ART. We recommend the screening of patients on ART for substance abuse and a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Keywords: HIV, substance abuse, medication adherence","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"14 1","pages":"37-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A qualitative study of alcohol risk perceptions among drinkers in Benue State, Nigeria","authors":"J. Gire, Alex I. Shaahu","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V14I2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V14I2","url":null,"abstract":"There is evidence in the scientific literature linking alcohol-related deaths and morbidities with excessive alcohol consumption, yet individuals are often undeterred by their experiences of negative alcohol-related outcomes. In seeking to understand this behavior, this exploratory qualitative study was undertaken among Benue State civil servants in Makurdi, Nigeria to explore their reasons for drinking, perception of alcohol risk and, how these shape their alcohol consumption behaviors. Utilizing a purposive and network/snowball sampling technique, twenty-nine self administered open ended questionnaires were administered and analyzed. Findings indicated that drinking was primarily undertaken for enhancement and coping motives. Also, drinkers had knowledge of, and had experienced some alcohol-related dangers such as fights, rape, injury, and driving under the influence of alcohol. However, their drinking motives were valued over and above these experiences of negative alcohol effects, thereby minimizing the perception of personal susceptibility to alcohol related risk. Problem drinking status, the availability of alternative substitutes to drinking and, drinking motives together determine alcohol risk perceptions and drinking behavior. Therefore, in order to fully understand drinking behavior, the influences of drinking motives, personal experiences, drinking status, availability of alcohol substitutes and, risk perceptions should be considered. Keywords: Alcohol risk perceptions, drinking motives, and hazardous drinking","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"14 1","pages":"57-79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. D. Bruijin, C. Ferreira-Borges, R. Engels, M. Bhavsar
{"title":"Monitoring Outdoor Alcohol Advertising in Developing Countries: Findings of a Pilot Study in Five African Countries","authors":"A. D. Bruijin, C. Ferreira-Borges, R. Engels, M. Bhavsar","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.13-29","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.13-29","url":null,"abstract":"This paper aims to describe alcohol advertising in the public arena of Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Nigeria and Uganda. Analyses on the placement, channels, size and content of outdoor alcohol advertising practices (N=807) in relation to existing regulations are given. For example, in Gambia, the country with the most stringent alcohol marketing regulations of all countries studied, outdoor alcohol advertisements are on average smaller and less attractive to youth; whereas, in Uganda and Ghana, countries with selfregulation, there is limited protection. Findings illustrate the innovative ways in which the alcohol industry attempts to reach their market despite existing alcohol marketing regulations and cultural boundaries. Legal measures could be a policy instrument to protect against harmful exposure. Key Words : alcohol marketing, outdoor advertising, Africa, alcohol policy","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Drinking, Violence Against Women and the Reproduction of Masculinity in Oron, Nigeria","authors":"E. Ediomo-ubong","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.55-68","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.55-68","url":null,"abstract":"Violence against women is recognized as a violation of human rights and a threat to the achievement of gender equality and development globally. Following suggested link between alcohol use and violence in previous studies, this study investigates the role of alcohol use and violence in the reproduction of masculinity. Qualitative data from in-depth individual and group interviews with 413 men in 6 villages in Oron, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria was used. The data reveals that men use violence in various ways towards their spouses to curb attempts to spurn traditional gender roles. Underlying most of the incidences of male violence is heavy use of alcohol, which is a potent cultural symbol of masculinity. Heavy drinking is common in these communities and its role in the incidence of violence against women is established by the accounts of participants. The rationalization of male violence with reference to the use of alcohol makes it clear that both practices are mutually implicated in the reproduction of local images of masculinity. Policy on alcohol problems and gender-based violence needs to recognize the metonymic significance of drinking and violence in the definition of manhood. Key Words : Alcohol; Masculinity; Violence against Women; Nigeria","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.55-68","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70448774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Drug Use Patterns and Socio-Demographic Profiles of Substance Users: Findings from a Substance Abuse Treatment Programme in Gaborone, Botswana","authors":"M. Selemogwe, S. Mphele, Kegomoditswe Manyanda","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.43-53","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.43-53","url":null,"abstract":"Substance abuse is a critical problem in Botswana, yet empirical evidence on substance users is limited. The current study sought to examine patterns of drug use and sociodemographic profiles of clients who sought treatment at a substance abuse treatment centre in Gaborone, Botswana. Findings showed clients’ age ranged from 13-64 years with a mean age of 28.55 years and SD ±12.59 years. More than half of the clients reported use of legal drugs (76.9%, n=307) and alcohol was the most frequently reported drug (n= 236, 59.1%). In contrast, slightly more than half of the clients reported use of illegal drugs (53.1 %, n=212) with marijuana being the most prevalent reported illicit drug (74%, n=104). Chi-square analysis also showed differences in use of illegal drugs as a function of clients’ gender (χ2 (1) =13.51, p ˂001) and as a function of the clients’ age (χ2 (4) = 64.04, p˂ .000). The findings of the current study have implications for the formulation of efficient substance abuse policy and interventions and as such recommendations are provided. Key Words : Substance abuse treatment, drug use, illicit drugs, Botswana, sociodemographic variables","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70448733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Natvig, A. Eide, Matilda Hultberg Døving, Annika Linge Hessen, Erik Hoel, J. Ndawala, Gloria Azalde, S. H. Braathen, A. Munthali
{"title":"Self- and collateral spouse-reported alcohol use in Malawi; exploring social drinking norms' potential for alcohol prevention","authors":"H. Natvig, A. Eide, Matilda Hultberg Døving, Annika Linge Hessen, Erik Hoel, J. Ndawala, Gloria Azalde, S. H. Braathen, A. Munthali","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.1-11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V13I1.1-11","url":null,"abstract":"Adult (18+ years old) Malawian men and women’s alcohol use and social drinking norms were examined. From 31,676 screened households, heads and spouses in 1,795 households with at least one alcohol user were interviewed. Alcohol use last 12 months was reported by 27.3% and 1.6% of all adult men and women respectively. Male and female alcohol users’ mean consumption was 8.05 litres and 1.51 litres of pure alcohol respectively. Spouses reported 55 and 61% higher consumption level for their spouses compared to self-reports. Without including non-drinkers, drinking norms explained 6.7% of men’s and 20.9% of women’s alcohol consumption. Prevention efforts could be directed at helping women not to start drinking by supporting their existing genderspecific descriptive drinking norms. Key Words : Alcohol, same-sex descriptive norms, household survey, Malawi","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70449166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Self-control and alcohol consumption among university students in Botswana","authors":"G. Morutwa, I. Plattner","doi":"10.4314/AJDAS.V13I2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/AJDAS.V13I2","url":null,"abstract":"The study explored the relationship between self-control and alcohol consumption among students at the University of Botswana, and was entrenched within the socialcognitive theory of self-regulation. Data were collected from 135 undergraduate students (42.2% female, 57.8% male) with a mean age of 21.22 years (SD = 2.16). Self-control was measured by the Brief Self-control Scale. Self-reported alcohol consumption on weekdays and in specific situations was converted into alcohol units. Participants who reported not drinking alcohol at all (55.6%) scored significantly higher in self-control. For those participants who reported drinking alcohol (44.4%), total self-control scores correlated moderately and inversely with alcohol consumption per week, in situations of stress, happiness, and when with friends. Standard multiple regression analysis revealed that self-control was a stronger predictor of the amount of alcohol consumed than were age and gender. The results are discussed with regard to the role of self-regulatory behaviour in the consumption of alcohol. Key words : Alcohol consumption, Botswana, self-control, self-regulation, undergraduate students","PeriodicalId":39196,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies","volume":"13 1","pages":"69-78"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70448782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}