Psychiatrist warns pregnant women against drug abuse

Dr Sunday Sajo, a consultant psychiatrist, on Wednesday in Akure advised pregnant women against indiscriminate use of drugs.

Sajo gave the advice while addressing pregnant women at a sensitisation on dangers of drug abuse at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo Teaching Hospital, Akure annex.

He admonished pregnant women to take drugs only on doctors' prescription.

The programme was organised by the Ondo State Committee on Drug Control of the state's Ministry of Health in collaboration with the NDLEA.

He cautioned that drug abuse by pregnant women could cause congenital anomalies, low birth weight of their babies, stillbirth, seizures, behavioural problems and mental disorders for mother and child.

He also enjoined the pregnant women to encourage their husbands and children to stop abusing drugs.

In another submission, Mrs Courage Oyeto, a pharmacist, said use of herbal medicine without professional recommendation and measurement could be termed drug abuse.

Oyeto, a member of the committee, explained that the composition of herbal medicines could not be proved; and advised pregnant women against bandwagon use of herbal medicines.

In her remarks, Mrs Yetunde Jeyifous, Assistant Commander of Narcotics Drug Demand Reduction Unit of NDLEA in Ondo State, said that all hands must be on deck to disabuse the minds of those abusing drugs.

Jeyifous explained that drug abuse could cause loss of interest in some activities and harm the users, saying that there were cases of pregnant women smoking Indian hemp, cigarettes and drinking alcohol.

The NDLEA official urged those abusing drugs to find new hobbies and resolve to shun drug abuse.