Army moves to end substance abuse amongst personnel

*Offers free medical outreach in Lagos Soldiers of the Nigerian Army as well as the barracks community have been cautioned against the abuse of substances of any forms. Stating this on Wednesday was the Corps Commander, Army Medical, Major-Gen. Ikechukwu Okeke, during the commemoration of the 2018 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital Annual Health Week in Lagos. Speaking at the Opening ceremony of a three days medical outreach tagged “ Substance Abuse amongst Youths: A Trend to Address, Okeke said the Army had put in place measure to ensure that personnel do not engage in the illicit act whose consequence is destructive. At the event which held at the 81 Division Hospital Dodan Barracks, Obalende in Lagos, free medical services and health talks were given by medical professionals to both personnel and their host community. Okeke said, “The army has taken several measures to address substance abuse and psychiatric problems generally. “For a soldier that is engaged in substance abuse, the first step is to treat them, because they are sick and a sick person should be treated. “We have mental health facilities in 44 and 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital with qualified psychiatrist and clinical psychologist who are addressing such issue. “In the North East, we have imbedded among the troops, the clinical psychologist who talk to them as a preventive measure before going to the battle field.” Okeke also revealed that the Army had also put in place intervention program even after the battle field that looked into all the soldiers coming from the North East to access those who had problems with substance or mental and behavioural disorder. On a possible sanction for soldier who err in this regard, the Maj. Gen. Said, “If any form of sanction is applied it is all part of the package to assist the soldier to get out the substance abuse. “There are so many reasons that lead to substance abuse so the advice is that it is better not to start at all no matter the pressure.” Acting Commander, 81 Division Medical Service, Col. Andrew Aloku who spoke on the importance of the theme said that the health week was organised to ensure physical fitness among barrack populace. “In the year 2014, a report by Global Journal of Human-Social Science reported 12.3 per cent depressive symptoms and 13.2 per cent paranoid behaviours amongst a selected population in a Nigerian Army barracks. “This situation appears to be on the increase which informed the selection of this Year’s Week Theme, which is, “Substance Abuse amongst the Youth, a Trend to Address”. “This is a week-long critical assessment of the issue of substance abuse amongst the youths in our barrack community.” Aloku also appreciated the support of General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major-Gen. Musa Yusuf towards making the outreach a reality. Joy Anyim, Lagos