Abstract:

The use of drugs remains a threat to health and medical care delivery, the public health burden of Cocaine and Methamphetamine use is enormous, and there is a need for critical evaluation of their use in the capital city of Abuja. This study investigates the presence of Cocaine and Methamphetamine use and related difficulties in Abuja. It is a retrospective and cross-sectional study conducted in a public mental health facility. The sociodemographic profile and clinical record of patients using psychoactive substances for the periods of 2018 and 2022 were obtained from the records unit. Results were analyzed using SPSS 26 set at 95% CI, with respondents’ profiles as follows: males n=116 (94 %) and females n=7(6%), 80% were single, with Mean age 28.9, and Standard Deviation SD ± 8.6. Clinical findings showed the average duration of substance use was 9.10 years with an average age of first substance use 19.42 years. Cocaine use was seen in n=17 (14%) methamphetamine use in n=5 (4.2 %). Ninety-nine per cent (99 %) of the subjects use other substances in addition to Cocaine or Methamphetamine, using both Methamphetamine and Cocaine was seen in n=2 (1.7 %). More subjects were seen to be using cocaine in the year 2022 than in 2018, with n=15(16.1%) in 2022 and n=2 (7.1%) in 2018, while Methamphetamine use was seen in the year 2022 only. This study concludes by bringing to light the presence of cocaine and methamphetamine use in our society, with serious repercussions.

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