Public Health Impact of Substance Use on Adolescent: A Snapshot of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State. Nigeria | Biomed Grid

The Nigerian polarization of its society with an estimated population ranging from 198 to 210 million people, growing at the rate of 3.2% per annum, into a large rural sector and a small urban component could provide a basis for the rapid increase in the prevalence of substance use among adolescents, which has aroused public health concern and have been declared a national public health and social emergency with a threat multiplier. One in every five people in the world is an adolescent, regrettably four out of every 10 teenager's you meet on the street now abuse drugs and if unchecked, seven out of every 10 young persons on your street would become drug addicts by the year 2030 particularly in the major cities. Yet, many adolescents lose their lives during this adolescent period. However, the World Health Organization reported that an estimated 1.7 million adolescents die yearly mostly through accidents, suicide, violence, pregnancy related complications, substance abuse and high-risk behaviors or illnesses that are either preventable or treatable. Adolescents suffer from a preponderance of health risk and behavioral problems. Admittedly, substance abuse is particularly problematic for this population and causes significant harm to their health and well-being. However, the teenage years are so volatile that parents should not worry about making much progress. Consequently, substance use affects developing brain by increasing the risk of addiction, mood disorders, lowered impulse control, increased risk for adverse consequences, confusion, cognitive impairment, and medical morbidity, which can contribute to hospitalizations and health care costs, as well as loss of independence and has been known to increase risky sexual activity, emphysema, lung cancer, heart disease, oral cancers, laryngeal carcinoma, and a number of other health issues in older age, decreased academic grades, and making poor decisions, that can be detrimental to the adolescents using or to others crime, militancy and violence behaviors etc. This article addresses the current trends and research related to the public health impact of substance use on adolescent. It is therefore vital for parent and societies to seize the opportunity of applying behavior modification, mind transformation and remodification therapy to young adults. Also, citizen advocacy should be intensified and encouraged on the health impact of substance use. It is also imperative that all stakeholders engage in concerted efforts to target both parents and adolescents in substance use control strategies.