1.1 Introduction
Youths are the most venerable and deeply involve group in the social menace of drugs abuse. However, drugs abuse among the youths has dominated discussion in the mainstream media recently. The menace of drugs abuse in Nigeria has reached a frightening proportion and it pervaded every fibre in the society. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the Dangers of drug abuse among youths in Nigeria, and its implication to national development. Drug abuse among Nigerian youth has been a scourge to the overall sustainable development of the nation. Substance abuse is a serious issue; a global and international issue particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Drug abuse has become a global concern in Nigeria because of its effect on youth and the nation as a whole. Drug abuse has a negative impact on the education of undergraduates in different universities across the globe. Drug abuse is also a major public health, social and individual problem and is seen as an aggravating factor for economic crises; hence, for Nigeria’s poverty status (Center for Disease Control, 2000).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
In the early 1960s, after independence, Nigeria noticed rampant cases of drug abuse (Okon, 2002). During that period, the number of drugs that were mostly abused were limited to tobacco, kolanut and alcohol. These days, many young ones now resort to everything including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs; the products that are most available to them (Okon, 2002). This situation, among others, has resulted in the creation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) which was established by Decree No. 48 in 1989 to handle issues relating to the abuse and trafficking of narcotic drugs and other psycho-tropic substances, other than food which by its chemical nature, affects the structure and function of living organisms (Fareo, 2012).
Nigeria introduced its drug control effort in 1985 when a dangerous drug ordinance was enacted to control trafficking and abuse (Johnson, 2002). By 1994, another landmark effort was made when the Federal Military Government promulgated the special tribunal (miscellaneous offences) Decree No. 20 of 1984 to stop drug trafficking within Nigeria shores. This is because a drug menace continued to rise in profile (Johnson, 2002).
Substance abuse leads to substance addiction with the development of tolerance and dependence. Tolerance refers to a condition where the user needs more and more of the drug to experience the same effect. Smaller quantities, which were sufficient earlier, are no longer effective and the user is forced to increase the amount of drug intake. Slowly, drug dependence develops. Both substance abuse and dependence require a maladaptive pattern of substance use. Substance abuse criteria include use resulting in inability to meet major role obligations, legal problems, and an increase in risk-taking behaviours or exposure to hazardous situations.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Dangers of Drug Abuse among Youth.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that despite the enormity of the problem in Nuv, systematic research has not been undertaken to clearly document the combined social, economic, health and psychological impact of substance abuse. Mental health problems such as depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions frequently are linked to substance abuse among adolescents.
Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression; conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. However, even the limited available data indicate the association of substance abuse related problems with several spheres of life. Increasing youth involvement in substance use and abuse is a major threat to national development, family stability and social security from which they need to be protected (Antwi, Adjei, Asare & Twene, 2003).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to identify the Dangers of Drug Abuse among Youth in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To ascertain the relationship between drug abuse and the youth psychological behavior;
- To find out the consequences of drug abuse among youths on the basis of gender;
- To find out the causes of drug abuse among youths on the basis of gender;
- To find out the impacts of drug abuse among youth in Nigeria; and
- To recommend remedial measures of drug abuse among youth in Nigeria
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the relationship between drug abuse and the youth psychological behavior?
- What are the consequences of drug abuse among youths on the basis of gender?
- What are the causes of drug abuse among youths on the basis of gender?
- What are the impacts of drug abuse among youth in Nigeria?
- What are the remedial measures of drug abuse among youth in Nigeria?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no relationship between drug abuse and the youth psychological behavior
- H1: There is relationship between drug abuse and the youth psychological behavior
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no causes which make the youth to abuse drugs in Nigeria
- H1: There are causes which make the youth to abuse drugs in Nigeria
1.7 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of benefit to the youth. The study will help to address the causes and also provide the remedies to the drug abuse among youth. The study will also be of great benefit to the researchers who intends to embark on research on similar topics as it will serve as a guide. Finally, the study will be of great importance to academia’s, lecturers, teachers, students and the general public.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of study is focused on the Dangers of Drug Abuse among Youth in Nigeria. This research is limited to the youths in Warri-South district, Delta State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Drug Abuse: Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance-related disorder.
Youth: Youth is the time of life when one is young, but often means the time between childhood and adulthood (maturity). It is also defined as the appearance, freshness, vigor, spirit, etc., characteristic of one who is young.
