Drug and Substance Abuse II – JSS3 Basic Science Lesson Note (First Term)

Drug control agencies are government bodies set up to stop fake, adulterated and hard drugs from entering and circulating in Nigeria.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name the two drug control agencies and write their full meanings;
2. state the functions of NAFDAC;
3. state the functions of NDLEA;
4. define herbal medicine and give examples used in Nigeria;
5. state ways in which herbal medicine can be misused.

What are the key terms in drug control?

These terms describe the drugs and foods that the control agencies keep away from the public.

• Drug abuse: use of a drug without a doctor’s advice, or in the wrong amount.
• Adulterated drug or food: one mixed with cheap or harmful substances, so its quality is lowered.
• Fake drug: an imitation that pretends to be a real product and may not cure the illness.
• Expired drug or food: one that has passed the expiry date printed on its pack.
• Hard drugs: illegal, highly addictive drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
• Drug baron: a leader or big dealer in the illegal drug trade.
• Rehabilitation: help given to drug users to recover and return to normal life.

What are drug control agencies?

There are two notable drug control agencies in Nigeria: NAFDAC and NDLEA.

• NAFDAC: protects the public from unsafe, adulterated and expired food and drugs.
• NDLEA: stops the sale, circulation and use of hard drugs.

What is NAFDAC and what are its functions?

NAFDAC is the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, which makes sure that adulterated or expired food and drugs are not sold to the public.

The functions of NAFDAC are:

• Stops adulterated food: it makes sure adulterated foods are not sold to the public.
• Stops expired products: it makes sure expired drugs and food are not sold to the public.
• Quality control: it ensures that manufactured food is checked for quality in the industries.
• Prosecution: it ensures offenders are prosecuted under the rules guiding the manufacture and sale of processed food.
• Enlightenment: it provides programmes to educate food and drug manufacturers.
• Herbal medicine: it monitors the use of herbal medicine.

What is NDLEA and what are its functions?

NDLEA is the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which prevents the sale, free circulation and use of hard drugs by any individual.

The functions of NDLEA are:

• Controls movement: it controls the movement of hard drugs in and out of the country.
• Punishes barons: it punishes drug barons according to the law.
• Rehabilitation: it organises orientation and rehabilitation programmes for hard drug users.
• Confiscation: it takes hard drugs away from their importers.
• Prohibition: it prohibits the importation and exportation of hard drugs.

What is the difference between NAFDAC and NDLEA?

What is herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine is a preparation made from the roots, leaves, bark, seeds and flowers of some plants to cure various illnesses, especially in Africa and Asia.

Plant parts used for herbal medicine:

• Roots: boiled or soaked to make drinks.
• Leaves: boiled, squeezed or ground into a preparation.
• Bark: taken from the stem of some trees.
• Seeds and flowers: used alone or mixed with other parts.

What are examples of herbal medicines in Nigeria?

• Agbo iba: a herbal drink.
• Herbal toothpaste: a plant-based paste for cleaning the teeth.
• Oroki herbal mixture: a herbal mixture taken as a drink.
• Yoyo bitter: a herbal bitter drink.
• Dudu osun soap: a herbal soap.
• Ijebu Ode mixture drink: a herbal mixture taken as a drink.

How is herbal medicine misused?

Herbal medicine is misused when it is made, stored or taken in an unsafe way.

1. Contamination: the medicine may contain toxic substances.
2. No preservatives: preservatives are not added, so safe storage is not guaranteed.
3. Adulteration: the herbal products may be mixed with other substances.
4. Overdose: there is no specific or recommended dosage, so users may take more than is required.

How can we use herbal medicine safely?

Safe use means checking the product and following proper advice before taking it.

• Check registration: buy products that carry a NAFDAC registration number.
• Check storage: do not take mixtures that smell bad or have been kept too long.
• Control the dose: do not take more than the amount advised.
• See a health worker: go to a hospital if the illness is serious or does not improve.

Evaluation

1. What is a drug control agency?
2. Which agency monitors the use of herbal medicine?
3. Which agency confiscates hard drugs from importers?
4. Give four examples of herbal medicines in Nigeria.
5. State two ways in which herbal medicine is misused.

Assignment

1. Write the full meaning of NAFDAC and NDLEA.
2. State two functions of NAFDAC.
3. State two functions of NDLEA.
4. Define herbal medicine.