An estimated 3.5 million young girls and women are grappling with drug abuse, according to experts.
The exponential rise in the number of female drug users in the country has also raised serious concerns among healthcare professionals and advocates of women’s well-being.
According to an expert nutritionist and girls’ rights advocate, Obianuju Onuorah, the distressing statistics were unveiled during a media discourse held in Lagos.
Onuorah emphasized the need to understand the underlying reasons behind the disturbing trend.
She also noted that the there are several factors responsible for the rise in drug use among Nigerian females.
One of the primary factors, she said, is the identified link between depression and substance abuse which makes many young women, gripped by suicidal thoughts, to resort to self-medication through drug use, ultimately increasing their craving and vulnerability to addiction.
Another nagging factor, she said, is a history of trauma, particularly physical or sexual abuse during childhood, which makes girls who had experienced these societal ills to be at a higher risk of turning to drugs as a coping mechanism.
Stress and an inability to cope with life’s challenges also drive some young girls and women toward substance abuse. Also, stressful events such as family tragedies, parental divorce academic pressures, or frequent relocations, can also lead them to seeking solace in drugs, Onuorah said.
She notes: “Low self-esteem plays a significant role in which some women associated with drug use see it as being fashionable and attractive, and thereby succumbing to societal pressures and misconceptions about it as being cool for them to engage in.
“Also, social pressure exerts a strong influence on the choices of many young girls who initiate drug use to fir in with their peers, compounding their problems,” Onuorah said.
She adds that other contributing factors include a lack of effective parent-child communication amid academic pressures, emphasizing that the specific causes can vary from one young woman to the other, making it essential to address these issues on an individual basis.
Onuorah further provided valuable insights into the steps that individuals seeking recovery can take.
She said, among others, focused therapy is the primary course of action for those battling substance abuse to be followed by a personalized nutrition plan to boost the nutritional status, mood and overall well-being of the victim, noting that good and balanced nutrition plays a crucial role in the recovery process.
She finally stressed the importance of seeking professional advice and support early for victims, acknowledging that there is no-size-fits-all solution to the complex issue of drug abuse among Nigerian girls and women.
She said, “Nigeria faces a daunting challenge in addressing this crisis and safe-guarding the well-being of her young female population.”
