DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL DISORDER AMONGINMATES OF REHABILITATION CENTRES INJIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The problems of mental illnesses associated with drugs abuse is an issue of great concern worldwide. It has turned to be an intractable problem which is difficult to address by the health and social policymakers of the international communities. In Nigeria, mental health and substance abuse cases are issues of less concern by the government. The national health policy promulgated by the government since the country’s independence covers only physical health until 1991 when the country introduced national policy on mental health. Even with the existence of mental health policy, the sector is facing neglect at national, state and local levels. Despite the psychiatric hospital and psychiatric units in secondary health centres, there has been inadequate health personnel for the provision of services. The study investigates the drug abuse effect and mental disorders in Jigawa State, and the efforts by the state government toward tackling the menace. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed to carry out the study. A predesigned questionnaire was employed for collection of data. The findings revealed that depression, anxiety or schizophrenia and psychosis caused by substance abuse and socioeconomic factors are the major mental illness affecting the respondents. Therefore, the study recommends the government to focus more attention on mental health issues by providing all the necessary facilities couple with equipping and training psychiatric nurses, hospital and other health centres in the State and establish de-addiction centres for counselling and rehabilitation of the mentally sick persons.