DRUG ABUSE

 DRUG USE AND DRUG ABUSE

A drug is any substance (with the exception of food and water) which, when taken into the body, alters the body's function either physically and/or psychologically.

Meaning of drug abuse
Drug abuse refers to the use of drugs through self-medication or without due medical prescription and administration. It is the indiscrinate use of any drug, i.e. marijuana (Indian hemp) e.g. heroine, morphine, cocaine, stimulants, alcohol, etc.

Drug abuse is the overuse and misuse of legal and illegal drugs by individuals without prescription by medical personnel to cause a change in their physiological and psychological state which lead to legal and interpersonal problems.

drug abuse is the habitual taking of illegal drugs. It is also the use of drugs contrary to prescription.

Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse

1. Neglecting responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your children).
2. Using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex.
3. Experiencing legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit.
4. Problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of friends.
5. Behavioural Change:  Changes in personality and behavior like  lack of motivation, irritability, and agitation
6. Violence  Bloodshot eyes and frequent bloody noses 
7. Shakes, tremors, or slurred speech 
8. Change in their daily routines 
9. Lack of concern for personal hygiene 
10. Unusual need for money; financial problems

Drug Classifications Based on Chemical Makeup

Alcohol: Alcohol is the most widely abused substance across most of the world, including in the United States. Legal to some extent in all 50 states, alcohol impacts numerous body systems, which in turn causes numerous effects in users. Alcohol creates feelings of euphoria and lowers inhibitions, but it also severely impairs judgment, perception, and reaction times. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, but it causes the most severe long-term damage to the liver. There are many forms of alcohol, including: Beer, Wine, Liquor

Cocaine . These drugs accelerate the activity of the CNS making a person feel energized, focused, and alert for long periods of time. The converse reaction is that a person feels edgy, paranoid, and angry

 

Opioids:  Also called opiates, opioids are either derived from the drug opium or chemicals designed to mimic it. Opioids work by interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain and blocking the signals that they are sending. This enables opioids to serve as powerful pain killers, but it also can cause feelings of intense pleasure, leading to addiction. Abusing opiates dulls the senses, causes drowsiness, convulsions, coma and death. Some of the most well-known opioids include: Heroin, Fentanyl, Oxycodone

Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines, or Benzos, are a class of drugs that function by interacting with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A). Each Benzo interacts with GABA-A differently, which is why each Benzo impacts the body and mind differently. Benzos are prescribed to treat a wide variety of psychiatric and sleep conditions, but they are very commonly abused. Benzos are highly addictive, and can cause numerous medical and psychiatric problems when not used as intended. Examples of Benzos include: Ativan, Valium, Xanax

Cannabinoids:  cannabinoids are a class of drugs that are chemically similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active agent in marijuana. Cannabinoids create feelings of elation, known as a high, but they also negatively impact mental and

physical functioning. Cannabinoids are the most widely abused drugs after alcohol, and they are increasingly gaining legal acceptance. Although considered less addictive than other drug classifications, cannabinoids can seriously damage a person’s mental and physical health. Examples of cannabinoids include: Marijuana, Hashish

Barbiturates: Barbiturates act on the central nervous system by slowing down its functioning. Barbiturates are derivatives of the chemical barbituric acid. Barbiturates were historically popular for the treatment of psychiatric and sleep disorders, and they are still used for anesthesia and treatment of a number of conditions such as epilepsy and headaches. Barbiturates are highly addictive, and they also present a very high overdose risk as they cause many body systems to shut down. Examples of barbiturates include: Amytal, Luminal, Pentobarbita

Drug Classifications Based On Effect

Depressants: More commonly referred to as “downers,” depressants create feelings of relaxation and tiredness. While many serve legitimate purposes in the fight against mental illness and sleep deprivation, they are very commonly abused because they may also create feelings of excitement. Depressants are not only some of the most highly addictive drugs, but they are also some of the most highly dangerous and likely to cause overdose. Examples of depressants include: Alcohol, Opiates, Barbiturates

Stimulants: Also known as “uppers,” the primary use of stimulants is to increase energy, concentration, and wakefulness. Stimulants are said to provide a “rush.” In the short term, they are believed to increase productivity and performance, while producing an excited high of pleasure. In the long term, stimulants are incredibly addictive and have a very high potential for abuse. Examples of stimulants include: Adderall, Cocaine, Meth

Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens, sometimes referred to as dissociatives, it alters someone’s mood, impairs judgement, thoughts and sense perception.Using these drugs can lead to heart and respiratory failure.The drug LSD is an example of a hallucinogen.The altered state caused by the hallucinogen can last several hours OR several days.The effects of these drugs are extremely unpredictable.Hallucinogens have no medical use.Users sometimes harm themselves physically, or behave violently and harm others.  Examples of hallucinogens include: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), Psilocybin Mushrooms, Phencyclidine (PCP) etc.

Inhalants: these are a vast range of chemicals that are ingested primarily by breathing them in, or huffing. Most inhalants are commonly used materials that are in no way

designed to be ingested by humans. While there is incredibly variety between inhalants, most produce feelings of a high. Inhalants are less studied than most other drugs. While they tend to be less addictive than many other substances, the use of inhalants is incredibly dangerous and causes many serious health effects. Examples of commonly abused inhalants include: Paint thinner, Nail polish remover, Gasoline

Symptoms or behaviors of a Drug addict

1. Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
2. Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
3. Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
4. Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
5. Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
6. Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
7. Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
8. Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
9. Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
10. Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
11. Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
12. Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
13. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Ways to Prevent Drug Abuse

1.     Effectively deal with peer pressure. The biggest reason teens start using drugs is because their friends utilize peer pressure. people find themselves doing things they normally wouldn’t do, just to fit in. In these cases, you need to either find a better group of friends that won’t pressure you into doing harmful things, or you need to find a good way to say no..

2.     Deal with life pressure. People most of the time runs to drug when the pressure of life is too much for either as a relief or reward. To prevent using drugs as a reward, find other ways to handle stress and unwind. Take up exercising, read a good book, volunteer with the needy, create something. Anything positive and relaxing helps take the mind off using drugs to relieve stress.

3.     Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. Those with a mental illness may turn to drugs as a way to ease the pain. Those suffering from some form of mental illness, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder should seek the help of a trained professional for treatment before it leads to substance abuse.

4.     Examine the risk factors. If you’re aware of the biological, environmental and physical risk factors you possess, you’re more likely to overcome them. A history of substance abuse in the family, living in a social setting that glorifies drug abuse and/or family life that models drug abuse can be risk factors.

5.     Keep a well-balanced life. People take up drugs when something in their life is not working, or when they’re unhappy about their lives or where their lives are going. Look at life’s big picture, and have priorities in order.

6.     Government Legislation:  government can play a good role in preventing drug abuse by Increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol products to reduce use, particularly among young people;  reducing the availability of excess prescription medications; restricting advertising of addictive substances, particularly to young people and restricting marketing of addictive substances in ways that appeal to youth

7.     7.        Parental Care/ Control: parental care can also help in preventing substance  abuse among youth. Prevention starts when you start talking with, and listening to,     your child, help your child make good choices and good friends and to teach your child different ways to say “No!”

8.     Community action and involvement

9.     Involvement in school and extra-curricular activities such as sports may keep people out of drug abuse

10.    Psychological reinforcement of behaviours of drug abusers when appropriate

11.   Media campaign against drug abuse should be intensified vii. Proper family upbringing should be encouraged

12.    Counseling the drug abusers of its consequences may prevent them from future drug abuse

13.      Good knowledge of drugs by individuals and the public should be encourage

Assignment 1

    Wujuwuju  had been struggling with drug addiction for several years. He had started using drugs in college as a way to cope with the stress of his classes and the pressure to succeed. But what started as a way to relax and unwind had quickly spiraled into a full-blown addiction.

    Wujuwuju's drug addiction began to take over his life. He started missing classes, neglecting his responsibilities and relationships, and his physical and mental health began to deteriorate. He had trouble sleeping, lost weight, and constantly craving for more drugs, even when he knew it was destroying his life.

    His parents and friends noticed the change in him and tried to intervene, but Wujuwuju was in denial..

Questions

1.     Explain the behavior exhibited by Wujuwuju. Give three reasons to support your answer

2.     What in your understanding do you think  led Wujuwuju into this predicament?  Support your answer with five reasons

3.     Suggest five ways through which Wujuwuju will be free from this embarrassing situation

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

NDLEA: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is a Federal agency in Nigeria charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs.It was founded in 1990

Functions of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

i. It coordinates all drug laws and functions

ii. It adopts measures to increase the effectiveness of hard drug trafficking eradication efforts

iii. It investigates people suspected to have dealings with hard drugs and enforces laws against the cultivation, processing, sales and use of hard drugs.

iv. It promotes effective enforcement of law to suppress illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs/phychotrophic substances

v. It educates the public on the effects of hard drugs

vi. It prosecutes illicit drug law offenders

vii. It confiscates and destroys illicit drugs

viii. It counsels and rehabilitates convicted illicit drug dealers

ix. It mounts surveillance at all entry points and within the country to apprehend dealers in illicit drugs

x. It provides measures that will ensure the elimination and prevention of the root causes of the problem of narcotic drug/ phychotrophic substances

NAFDAC: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is a Nigerian federal agency under the Federal Ministry of Health that is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water. It was formed in 1993.

                                           Functions of NAFDAC

i. It regulates and controls the importation and exportation of drugs

ii. It educates the public on the effects of drug abuse

iii. It conducts research into storage, adulteration, distribution and use of forbidden drugs, etc

iv. It compiles and publishes relevant data on food, drugs etc

v. It collaborates with other government agencies on measures to eradicating drug abuse in Nigeria.

vi. It controls the exportation and issuance of certificates on food, drugs, medical devices, water and chemicals.

vii. It sponsors national and international conferences in its area of operation.

viii. It determines the suitability or otherwise of food, drugs etc

ix. It compiles standard regulations for production an importation of foods, drugs, cosmetics, etc

x. It certifies production sites of foods and drug-related products.
 

 

Notable Government Drug Laws

Some  notable legislation against illicit cultivation, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs in Nigeria include:

a.      The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance of 1935 enacted by British Colonial administration.

b.     The Indian Hemp Decree No.19 of 1966 enacted by the Military administration of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi with life imprisonment for illicit trafficking.

c.      The Indian Hemp(Amendment) Decree No.34 of 1975 enacted by the regime of Major General Murtala Mohammed that reduced the term of imprisonment from life to 6 months imprisonment

d.The Indian Hemp(Amendment) Decree, and the Special Tribunal(Miscellaneous Offences) Decree No. 20 of 1984 enacted by the regime of Major General Mohammed Buhari to prescribe death penalty for illicit traffic in narcotics drugs.

e.      The Special Tribunal(Miscellaneous Offences) (Amendment) Decree of 1986 that replaced the death penalty with life imprisonment and and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Decree NO 48 of 1989 (as amended by Decree No.33 of 1990, Decree No 15 of 1992 and Decree No. 62 of 1999) all of which harmonized as Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria(LFN) 2004 that established the NDLEA, enacted by the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida

Assignment 2
Read your note again and answer the following questions.
   1. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is a Federal agency in Nigeria charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs.. Explain six ways through which the agency is fighting drug abuse
2. What roles is the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) playing in eradicating substance abuse? Explain five.

A BILL

Meaning of a Bill

A bill can be defined as a proposed law to be discussed in the parliament in order for it to become law. It is also seen as a proposal which becomes law after it undergoes the necessary procedures in the parliament. For a bill in the parliament to become law, the president or head of state has to give his assent, i.e. sign the bill.

Types of Bill

Public Bill

This is a bill that deals with the matter or problem that affect the whole or a section of a country. This type of bill comes from the executive arm of government to the legislature.

Money Bill

This type of bill deals with how government raises and spend money. A money bill can therefore be inform of budget that deals with the total estimated revenue and expenditure of government in a financial year. Money bill also comes from the executive.

Private Member Bill

This is a bill introduced into the parliament by a member of such house or parliament.

How a Bill is passed in the Parliament in order to Become Law

First Reading

This is the stage at which the draft of the bill is presented to the clerk of the house by a minister or a member of the parliament, depending on the type of bill. Members of the parliament will be notified about the presence of such bill by the clerk of the house, who will read out the title. It will be printed out in leaflets and circulated to all members for them to study before the second reading which the date will be fixed. No debate is allowed to take place at this stage, it is just a mere way of introducing the bill to the house.

Second Reading.

This is the stage in which the person that brought the bill to the house will explain to the house the purpose of the bill. Members of the parliament (legislature) will then debate or argue for or against the bill, whether it should be read a second time or not. It will be put to vote, and if two-third majority of the members vote for the bill, it will move to the next stage, and if not, that will be the end of the bill. No amendment of the bill would be proposed or made at this state.

Committee Stage.

This is the stage where the bill is referred to a committee which can be a standing committee or a committee of the whole house depending on the importance of the bill. A committee of the whole house (often called committee of the whole), comprises all members of the house chaired by the speaker or president of the senate. All members in the committee of the whole house consider the bill section by section and amendments proposed and voted for. In a less important bill, it will be referred to a standing committee where members are constituted into groups of four or five for the purpose of considering bills. The bill will now be considered in the committee and amendments made.

Report Stage.

At this stage, all the findings of the various committees are reported to the house, or the bill is placed before the house after all the amendments have been made. It is the speaker or senate president, if it is the committee of the whole, or the chairman of the standing committee as the case may be, who would read the bill in its amended form to the house.

Third Reading.

This is the final stage at which a thorough look would be taken on the bill in order to correct certain errors connected with the drafting of the bill or amendment. A final vote is also taken at this stage. The bill will now be taken to the president for his assent, after the bill has passed all the five stages in both houses of representative and the senate. The bill will automatically become a law after being signed by the president.

However, under the presidential system of government, the president has the power to veto the legislative bill by not signing it to become law. But after thirty days, the legislature is empowered by law to withdraw such a bill back to the legislature. If the bill is now supported by two-third majority, it thus becomes a law automatically without the presidential assent.

STRUCTURES OF GOVERNMENT

The Legislature

The legislature is the organ or arm of government that is charged with the responsibility of law making. It can also be seen as the arm of government made up of elected persons whose main function is to make law for the country. The legislature is given different names in different countries, e.g. National or State Assembly in Nigeria, Parliament in Britain, Congress in United States etc.

Functions of the Legislature

a.    Law Making: the legislature performs the function of making laws that direct and guide the affairs of the nation, and guarantee peace and progress in a country.

b.   Approval of Appointment: the legislature also approves the appointments made by the president or prime minister of the country.

c.    Amendment of the Constitution: it is also the duty of the legislature to amend the constitution of the country whenever it is deemed necessary.

d.   Ratification of International Treaties: it is the duty of the parliament to approve treaties entered into by the president or prime minister with other countries

e.    Budget Approval: the legislature considers and approves the national budget prepared by the executive. In this way, the legislature controls the running of the country.

f.     Removal of the President: the legislature has the power to impeach the president of a country when he is no more abiding by the tenets of the constitution which he swore to abide and protect.

g.   Control of the Executive: the legislature is also empowered to check and control the activities of the executive organ of the government to avoid misrule.

h.   Training of Future Leaders: through the various activities of the legislature, it serves as an avenue for training of a country’s future leaders.

i.      Investigative Function: in its job of checking the activities of other organs of government, the legislature has the power of setting up panels to investigate the activities of any department of government.

j.      Watchdog over Public Finance: it is the legislature that gives authorization to the executive for all expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, for planning and running the government within a fiscal year.

Types of Legislature

There are two types of legislature, they are Unicameral and Bicameral legislatures. 

Unicameral Legislature.

Unicameral legislature or Unicameralism refers to a situation where there is only one legislative house or body that makes laws in a country. Once a bill has been passed by the Assembly, it goes to the president directly for his assent. Countries like Ghana, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Kenya etc. have once adopted unicameral legislature.

Advantages of Unicameral Legislature

i.                  A one chamber legislature is more suitable in Unitary states.

ii.              It gives room for faster or speedy process of law making.

iii.           It is cheaper to maintain a unicameral legislature than a bicameral legislature.

iv.            Unicameralism avoids the squabbles (disputes) experienced in bicameralism as to which of the houses is upper and which is lower.

v.               It does not allow unpatriotic citizens to achieve their objective through long and unnecessary speeches as they do when there are two chambers.

Disadvantages of Unicameral Legislature

i.                  It is an unpopular type of legislature since even the countries that adopted it are no longer using it.

ii.              Unicameralism does not allow bills to be properly debated before they are hastily passed.

iii.           The executive arm can easily pocket a unicameral legislature.

iv.            It creates room for the emergence of a dictatorial head of state because it does not check his excesses like bicameral legislature.

v.               It does not make for adequate representation in a country that is large with heterogeneous people.

Bicameral Legislature

Bicameralism or bicameral legislature refers to a legislature in which there exist two houses or bodies that make laws in a country. Before a bill is presented to the president for his assent, it must pass through the two houses. Many countries adopt this type of legislature more than unicameralism because of its numerous advantages which make it more popular. It is practice in countries like Britain, USA, Nigeria, Canada, India, Australia etc. in Britain, these two legislative houses are called House of commons, which is the lower house, and House of Lords, which is the upper house. In USA and Nigeria, there are house of Representatives, known as the lower house, and the Senate, which is the upper house.

Advantages of Bicameral Legislature.

1.   The existence of the second house help to check and prevent hasty and ill-considered passage of bills as is the case in unicameral legislature.

2.   The second chamber also corrects any error and faulty legislations committed in the first chamber.

3.   It makes it difficult for the executive arm to dominate the legislature.

4.   The delay of bills in the two chambers make it possible for public opinion to be properly expressed on the issues concerned before they are passed.

5.   The composition of the upper house enables a country to utilise the knowledge of experienced people in law making.

6.   The task of law making is made easier when it is shared between two houses of parliament.

7.   It makes for equal representation of the people in a federal state.

Disadvantages of Bicameral Legislature

1.   Bicameral legislature leads to unnecessary rivalry as to which as to which of the two houses is superior to the other.

2.   Bicameral legislature causes serious delay in the process of law making because each bill has to be passed by both houses.

3.   Public funds are wasted in maintenance of the two chambers which are in effect doing the same job.

4.   Membership of the upper house could be undemocratic in some countries like Britain, where the members of the House of Lords are appointed.

5.   It is not good in passing bills in time of emergency because of its delay.

6.   The second chamber (upper) may be used as a dumping ground for political rejects at the polls if its membership is by nomination or appointment.

The Executive

The executive is the organ of government responsible for the implementation, execution or enforcement of laws, policies and directives made and given by the legislative arm of government. It can also be seen as the organ of government whose duty is to carry out government decisions and enforce its laws. The executive therefore is to ensure that the laws made in a country are obeyed. It also submit to the legislature any changes it deems necessary to be made in laws of the land; carry administrative duties; render services to the people of the country etc. The executive is headed by President/Prime minister, Governor or head of local council and assisted by ministers, commissioners or councillors as the case may be.

Types of Executive

Single/Presidential Executive

This is the type of executive in which all executive powers of government are vested in the hands of the president who is dully elected by the people. The president is head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. In this type of executive, the cabinet members are not members of the legislature. Countries that practice this system include USA, Nigeria, Brazil, Tanzania etc.

Dual/Parliamentary Executive

This is the type of executive in which one person is the head of state while another person is the head of government. The head of state may be a monarch or a ceremonial president, while the head of government is usually the prime minister. In parliamentary executive, all members of the executive are also members of the legislature. Countries that practice this system include Britain, Sweden, Belgium etc.

Collegiate Executive

This is the type of executive in which a number of people form a council which rotates the chairmanship of the council and leadership of government in turns among its members. This system was practiced in Togo during Olympio’s regime. Due to its intricacies (complexities), it is not a common form of administration.

Functions of the Executive

i.                  Execution of Laws: it is the executive arm of government that executes or implements that laws made by the legislature by making sure that they are obeyed.

ii.              Giving Assent to Bills: the head of the executive signs or gives assent to bills before they can become law.

iii.           Maintenance of Law and Order: the executive uses the police to maintain law and order in a country.

iv.            Formulation of Policies: it formulates policies that guides the general administration of the people in particular, and as a country as a whole.

v.               Making of Budget: the executive prepares the total proposed financial expenditure and revenue of the government in every new financial year.

vi.            Pardoning of Convicts: the executive the prerogative of mercy as granted to it by the constitution, perform crucial judicial function of pardoning and reprieving convicted offenders in a country.

vii.        Initiation of Bills to the Legislature: the executive sometimes initiates and submit bills to the legislature to pass into law for good governance of the country.

viii.     Provision of Welfare: it is the executive that performs the main function of government, which is provision of welfare services to the citizens.

ix.            Control of External Trade: it is the executive that has the power to control what is to be imported or exported in a country. 

The Judiciary

The judiciary is the arm of government that is responsible for the interpretation of laws and the trial of cases involving individual citizens, organization and the state. It ensures obedience to the laws, and gives judgement as appropriate in respect of any case brought before it. The judiciary acts as a watchdog of the law by making sure that laws made are obeyed, and those who refuse to obey are severely punished. The judiciary is made up of different courts like the Supreme Court, Appeal court, High court, Magistrate court, Customary court, Sharia court etc.

Function of Judiciary

a.    Interpretation of Laws: the judiciary’s primary function is to interpret laws of the land.

b.   Settlement of Disputes: the judiciary adjudicates in disputes between the executive and the legislature and between government and citizens or organizations.

c.    Punishment of law breakers: as the watchdog of the law, the judiciary made sure that laws are obeyed and those who refuse to obey the law are severely punished.

d.   Guardian of the Constitution: the judiciary guards and protects the constitution of the land from violation by anybody no matter how highly placed.

e.    Protection of Citizens’ Right and Liberties: the judiciary ensures that the citizens’ rights and liberties are protected. It is this function that made the judiciary to be seen as the last hope and defender of the oppressed.

f.     Give Advice to the president: it advises the president of a country on judicial matters like prerogative of mercy or the power to pardon criminals and political detainees.

g.   Determination on Election Petitions: the judiciary performs the function of hearing and determining election petitions in order to ascertain true winners.

Problems Facing the Judiciary

a.    Inadequate Funding: a major problem facing the judiciary is lack of adequate funding by the executive.

b.   Poor salaries: Poor remuneration or salaries paid to judicial officials have been a great challenge of the judiciary.

c.    Insufficient number of court:  Insufficient number of court is another challenge facing the judiciary. This has led to too many cases piled up in courts with no guarantee of getting justice.

d.   Political Control: Political Control of the judiciary threatens the independent of the judiciary.

e.    Executive Control: appointment of the head of the judiciary by the executive arm of government makes the executive to have greater control over the judiciary.

f.      Funding: funding of the judiciary by the executive makes the judiciary to dance to its tune- he who pays the piper, dictates the tune.

g.   Corruption: corruption among many of the officials of the judiciary acts as a threat to judicial performance.