More youth admitted at Butabika over drugs

Jun 27, 2013

The number of drug addicts admitted at Butabika National Psychiatric Referral Hospital is on increase and currently 20 percent of admissions are related to use of alcohol and other drugs.

By Violet Nabatanzi

The number of drug addicts admitted at Butabika National Psychiatric Referral Hospital is on increase and currently 20 percent of admissions are related to use of alcohol and other drugs.


Speaking during the celebrations of UN International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the acting executive director of Butabika hospital Dr. David Basangwa said most of the people affected by drug use are mainly youth between the age group of 18 and 25.

He said majority of the youths get affected by addiction when they are at secondary level or even at University level.

“There is a need to work together with all stakeholders because drug abuse is a challenge not only to health sector but to almost everybody in the country. Many of the young people begin to use drugs without knowing its effects,” Basangwa revealed.

He further added: “the more we stop these drugs from coming into the Country the more we shall protect the youths that are abusing them.”

Basangwa added that treatment for addicts is very expensive and it takes about two years for one to get off the substance.

He also said that the hospital is faced with the problem of limited staff to manage the overwhelming number of patients.  

“Currently we don’t have enough doctors and counselors to manage patients,” Basangwa revealed.  

The principal medical officer, Mental Health and Control of Substance in the ministry of health Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi said, studies done in schools indicate that there is no school which is free from drug abuse.

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});