ODGJ In Lhokseumawe City Reached 545 People, Majority Due To The Use Of Narcotics And Illegal Drugs

Illustration- The lives of patients with mental health disorders at the Al Fajar Berseri Foundation South Tambun, Bekasi Regency, West Java (Photo Via Antara)

ACEH - The Lhokseumawe City Health Office, Aceh Province stated that the number of people with mental health disorders or ODGJ in the area reached 545 in the 2021 period. ODGJ was dominated by drug use.

"The cause of the most sufferers with mental health disorders is the use of narcotics and illegal drugs," said Acting (Plt) Head of the Lhokseumawe City Health Office Safwaliza in a release received in Banda Aceh, between, Sunday, February 20.

He said the cause of the mental disorder was known after his party dug up information and collected data from the patient's closest family.

"The first reason is because of taking drugs which can interfere with mental health, then followed by economic pressure. Generally, people with these disorders are adults," he said.

In addition, he said, genetic or hereditary factors are also the cause of mental problems. The number of people with mental health disorders in 2022 decreased by nine cases compared to 2020 which reached 554 people.

"In general, people with mental disorders are difficult to cure. Even though they are no longer treated, they still have to depend on drugs or in other words, outpatient care," he said.

Currently, only the Cut Meutia Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in North Aceh Regency serves people with mental disorders. Meanwhile, outpatients are available in all puskesmas in Lhokseumawe City.

"If people with mental disorders are in the severe category, on average they are referred to the Banda Aceh Mental Hospital. As for the mild and moderate categories, they can be at the Cut Meutia Hospital owned by the North Aceh Regency Government in Lhokseumawe," said Safwaliza.