1. EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS
HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS EMANATING FROM THE INCREASED DRUG
ABUSE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter focuses on substance among the youth. Although this concern comes along with
alcohol abuse. However with the aim of effective research the two can be studied differently
because alcoholism is a broad study. Substance abuse is the over indulgence in or dependence on
a addictive substance. In the recent studies, there were at least 140 people admitted at Butabika
over drug abuse. Most of these are youth between16-25 years. Study also shows that 22% f
students in Kampala have used and abused drugs. Alcohol, marijuana are the most abused in that
order. Opium, cocaine and inhalant substances like thinner and glue follow the list. Drug abuse is
on the rise in Uganda and internationally. This is exposed in the fact that some patients have
been put on waiting list for admission because capacity is not enough. Butabika the main mental
hospital admits about 20% of patients as result of drug abuse. To note is that drug abusers start in
school or university. Here they get unruly, drop out of school and later join gangsters. Reason for
this among the youth is their urge to keep peers, feel good, appear bold or need to withdraw from
home or family uncertainties. Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi blames the weak laws against drug
traffickers, lack of awareness of both parents and pupils.
Relatedhuman rights concerns
There must be a strong focus on the health needs and human rights of all people who use drugs.
As much as there are mental hospitals and rehabilitation homes, there is little attention given to
those who need drug dependence treatment services. It important for the rights of those that do
not abuse drugs be considered, its well known that most of the youth that abuse drugs in kampala
today are the same youth that join gangs and terrorise people in the area. Drug and substance
abuse is not one of the prculiar problems you will ecounterbeing addressed by the Ugandan
government today. Growing concerns on this issue have however bee recorgnised which also
calls for the state to come up with actions against this vice. In 2014 media reports were released
where Ugandans were to be killed in china for dealing in drugs which called for the state to
advocate for rights of them being retured to Uganda.