APPRAISAL OF THE SOCIO-LEGAL EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE ON NIGERIAN

YOUTHS

CHAPTER ONE

1.1. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Drugs are commonly used by everybody whether young or old. A drug is a substance that can be

used to cure sickness and improve the health of any living thing 1. Since early times, Herbs,

leaves, and plants have been used to heal and control ailments 2. Drugs are indeed used for

beneficial medicinal purposes and as effective substances for good health, but they are abused by

people, particularly youths. They use it illegally and criminally, and as a result, it is damaging to

the body3.

Drug Abuse is defined as the incorrect or inappropriate use of chemical compounds capable of

altering the functionality of cells in the body 4. A drug is described as any product other than food

or water that alters how individuals feel, think, see, and behave. It is a chemical substance that

has an effect on physical, mental, and emotional functioning. It can enter the body through

chewing, inhaling, smoking, drinking, rubbing on the skin, or injection 5. In addition drug abuse

is the over-dependence and misuse of one particular drug with or without a prior medical

diagnosis from qualified health practitioners. Dangerous drugs like cocaine, Indian hemp
1 Dictionary, 'What is Drug' <https://www.dictionary.com/browse/drug> Accessed November 9,
2022

2 A. Ghorbani, ' Clinical and Experimental Studies on Polyherbal Formulation for Diabetes':
Current Status and Future Prospective; Journal of Integrative Medicine (2014) (12) 336-345

3 B. Shan, 'Forms of Drug Abuse and their Effects'; Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly
(2018)1(1)13-19

4 E.A. Ajayi and J.B. Ayodele, History and Development of Education in Ado-Ekiti (Petoa
Education Publishers 2003)

5 D.A. Lewinsohn et al, 'Immune Dominant Tuberculosis CD8 Antigens Preferentially' ;

Restricted by HLA-B PLoSPathog (2007)(3)1240-1249

1
(marijuana), morphine, heroin, tobacco, ephedrine, valium five, and Chinese capsules are few

among the drugs commonly abused by youth6.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that more than 247 million

people between the ages of 15 and 64 used at least one drug in 2014 7. According to UNODC

statistics, the majority of drug users and abusers are young people. The African seminar on

problems of drug dependence held in Lagos, Nigeria declared that Drug Abuse and dependence-

producing Drugs are becoming increasingly common in African countries. These issues have an

impact on the individual, the family, and society as a whole. Drug Abuse, which was formerly

thought to be a problem for a selected few, is now affecting a sizable proportion of the global

population8. The problem is so serious that it has spread beyond the typical profile of abusers,

who are male, adult, and urban-based, to include females, children, and those who live in rural

areas.

Drug Abuse among Nigerian youth has become a major issue that affects everyone. Addiction

drives many people, particularly young ones, into a downward spiral of hopelessness that, in

some cases, proves fatal. They range from glue-sniffing street children and teenage ecstasy users

to hard-core heroin and cocaine addicts 9. Drug misuse causes lost salaries, property devastation

6 I.A. Ajayi and H.T. Ekundayo, Contemporary Issues in Educational Management in Lagos
(Bolabay Publications 2010) 240

7 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 'World Drug Report Vienna'; united nation office
on drug and crime (2016) (Sale No. E.16.X17)

8 Narcotic and Drug Abuse Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the
department of Psychiatry of the University of Lagos, African Seminar on Problems of Drug
Dependence (1980)

9 T. Nacada, 'The Influence of Drug Abuse on Students' Academic Performance' National

Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (2005)

2
in schools, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and shattered families. As parents, children, teachers,

government officials, taxpayers, and workers, we are all affected by this.

Drug Abuse and other related issues pose a significant threat to the survival and effective

functioning of human communities; lives are lost on a daily basis as a result of addiction and

addictive behaviors.10 The behaviors of people under the influence of drugs have been linked to a

considerable number of deaths in accidents and violent crimes. Treatment institutions across the

country are rapidly becoming overburdened with drug-related problems and cases. The necessity

to avoid drug usage among Nigerian youths, the country's expanding population, becomes

critical.

Drug use among the young and old in Nigeria is increasing on a daily basis. Drugs could refer to

compounds that are essential in the lives of all living organisms in order to prevent illness,

relieve pain, and promote a healthy life. However, these drugs that are designed to save lives

generally end up destroying them due to overuse. This is more common among youths. The

usage of these medications, both unlawfully and illegally, has effects 11. Drug Abuse has brought

great humiliation to families, societies, and Nigeria as a whole.

According to WHO statistics, substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, and cocaine are the root

cause of traffic accidents that have taken lives and the high rate of sickness that our communities

face today. The issue of drug usage has now risen to the forefront of our societies. Drug

addiction not only destroys the affected person or individual, but it also has a detrimental impact

on those who are connected to the individual (relatives, friends, etc.). In a country, drug and

alcohol abuse has a substantial impact on serious crimes and contributes significantly to

10A.A. Folawiyo, Overview of the Research Process: Research Process in Education and Social
Science ( A.A Folawiyo and M.G Folawiyo eds Goldy O. Publishing Co 2008) 1- 15

11 B. Shan, Forms of Drug Abuse and their Effects (n 3)

3
fatalities.12 Although there is no data shown, many youths in Nigeria are also users of drugs, but

there are many other users of such drugs that are beyond the moderate level to them, drug abuse

constitutes a very difficult problem and this condition appears to be based on an underlined

psychological abnormality. Drug Abuse has a negative impact on an individual's health and

social functioning; it also has an impact on the user's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as

society as a whole. Hence, In order to explore and analyze the effect of drug abuse on Nigerian

youths this research work will appraise the effect of drug abuse on Nigerian youths.

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The effects of drugs and substance addiction on youth development have drawn the attention of

researchers in developmental studies, criminology, psychology, and sociology. This worry is

shared by religious organizations, governments, families, and entire nations. Drug Abuse in

Nigeria and the current trend is becoming a big medical, psychological, social, and economic

concern for the country. Worryingly, an increasing proportion of secondary school and higher

institution students are becoming involved in drug addiction. Certain factors have contributed to

youth drug use and abuse. Scholars have identified these characteristics as legitimate grounds for

youth involvement in drug and other substance use. Many young individuals take pride in drug

usage to their disadvantage. To feel euphoric and improve social performance, they take

substances such as cocaine, nicotine, marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, amphetamine compounds, and

even sniff glue. The need to fully integrate into a peer 13-arranged society, improve performance,

and develop a sense of aesthetic sensations accurately describes the observations of Jerome et al.

12 S. Barry, Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Affluent (Routledge Publisher, 1st edn, 1984) 88-95

13 N. Jerome et al, 'Economic Implications of Drug Abuse among the Youths' Journal of
Economic and Sustainable Development (2018) 100-102

4
Other factors for youth involvement in drugs, substances, and abuse, include the discovery and

development of new technologies that have improved mass production of some of these drugs,

with many of them becoming very cheap and affordable. 14 Boredom/depression/anxiety relief,

peer influence, euphoria-seeking sensory satisfaction accounts for other factors responsible for

drug abuse.15

Despite the aforementioned causes of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youth,

numerous researches has been conducted on the subject of drug abuse and its effects, particularly

on the development of young people. For instance, NIDA suggested that Drug abuse can impede

normal brain development when they disrupt significant developmental and social transitions

during adolescence.16 In another study it was argued that high-stress level, especially occasioned

by dire economic strains, severe trauma, psychological trauma, including loss of a loved one, or

chronic loneliness are some of the factors that could lead to drug addiction. 17 According to

Adenaike et al there has been a rise in the percentage of high school students who take drugs

recreationally, experimentally, or to change their mood 18. Drug abuse had a major impact on

young people's growth and academic performance (failure). 19 The study by Abdu-Raheem

revealed a strong connection between drug abuse, family cohesion, peer influence, and family
14 Vanguard, Drug Abuse and Nigerian Youths < https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/drug-
abuse-and-nigerian-youths/ > Accessed 5th November, 2022.

15 M.L. Ching et al, 'Using Positive Youth Development to Design a Drug Educational
Curriculum for Junior Secondary Student in Hong Kong' Scientific World Journal (2011)(11)
2338-2347

16 National Institute on Drug Abuse, 'Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder

Treatment; A Research Based' Advancing Addiction Science (2014) 1-42

17 T. Ogunbiyi, <https://guardian.ng/opinion/the-youth-and-the-scourge-of-drug-addiction/ >

Accessed 5 November, 2022

18 M. Hamisu et al, 'Adolescents and Drug Abuse in Nigeria' Journal of Biology, Agriculture
and Health (2014) 4(1) 5-9

5
background. The study also found that drug abuse had a negative impact on students' academic

performance.20

Adenaike and Abdu-Raheem are the only researchers whose work has demonstrated a link

between drug addiction and youth development, particularly in the field of academic

achievement. The other studies mentioned above also revealed significant indicators and factors

for youth drug use, however, they did not take into account how drug abuse can affect young

people's development, how it can affect their involvement in crime, their academic performance,

and drop-out rates, and their mental health.

The rate of drug abuse among youths, particularly among Nigerian youths, has become an issue,

and it hasn't been investigated in the context of evaluating how drug abuse has affected not just

the youth but also the social and economic reliance of the nation. It is taken into account that the

researcher is interested in appraising the effect of drug abuse on Nigerian youths.

1.3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research, therefore, seeks to address the following research questions which will serve as a

guide.

i. What are the major socio-legal effects of drug abuse on the youths?

ii. What control measures have been put in place to check drug abuse among youths in

Nigeria?

19 A.S. Adenaike et al, 'Menace of Drug Abuse on Youth Development and Academic
Performance'; Evidence from Nigeria Journal of Social and Behavioural (2014) 3(2) 22-54

20 B.O. Abdu-Raheem, 'Sociological factors of drug abuse and the effect on secondary school
students' academic performance in Ekiti and Ondo state, Nigeria' (2013) (second quarter) 6(2) 1-
8

6
 iii. How effective have the measures been in combating the scourge of drug abuse among

this group?

1.4. AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The project work will aim at appraising the Socio-legal effect of Drug Abuse on Nigerian

Youths.

To achieve this aim, the following are the specific objectives

i. To examine the major socio-legal effect of drug abuse on the youths.

ii. To find out the control measures put in place to check drug abuse among youths in

Nigeria.

iii. To examine the effectiveness of the measures taken in combating the scourge of drug and

substance abuse among youths.

1.5. SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study will deal primarily with the socio-legal effect and the extent drug abuse has

influenced the youths in Nigeria. It will also examine the different agencies that regulate the use

of drugs and measures put in place to combat the abuse of drugs by youths in Nigeria.

Furthermore, it will examine the effectiveness of the government in fighting drug abuse among

youths. In the course of carrying out the research, certain challenges were encountered such as

Access to resources materials. At the first stage of this research, access to secondary materials

such as journals, publications etc. was a major challenge, because the right materials that

suites the research has to be sourced and scrutinized, in order to make use of the best

available materials. Another challenge is financial constraints: it tends to frustrate the speed with

7
which the researcher moves around to gather resources. However, the researcher was able to

obtain useful information about the research topic. Also, Time Constraints: Because the

researcher is a student, she will be involved in other departmental activities such as assignment

submission, presentation, and lecture attendance, which will limit the time available to complete

the research work; however, the researcher was able to complete the research work within the

time allotted.

1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study examines the socio-legal effect of drug abuse on Nigerian youths.

The study will be of immense benefit to the youths, the state government and the federal

government of Nigeria in addressing the issue related to the problem of drug abuse in the family,

youth, and general society.

The study would also add to the knowledge discovered in the field's existing relevant literature,

allowing government and non-governmental organizations to find a possible solution to drug

abuse.

In other words, it will provide scholarly data for future research. More importantly, the study will

propose a program that, when implemented, will bring the problem of drug abuse affecting the

youths to its daily lows.

1.7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information about a

topic are referred to as research methodology. This essay will adopt a doctrinal method (Library

based). The researcher will use both primary and secondary legal sources for the doctrinal

8
method. The primary sources include the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act and other

statutes, international treaties and regulations enacted under statutes, and case law. Secondary

sources include journals, books, and online materials.

1.8. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTER

Chapter one will provide a general introduction to the project as well as the project's structure. It

gave us insight into the project and what to expect. The second chapter is titled "Literature

Review and Conceptual Clarification." The third chapter will look at the socio-legal effect of

drug abuse on Nigerian youth. The fourth chapter will look at "Overview of Administrative

Measures to Combat Drug Abuse". The summary, recommendations, and conclusions will be

included in Chapter 5, the project's final chapter.

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background to the Study

1.2. Statement of the Problem

1.3. Research Questions

1.4. Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.5. Scope and Limitation of the Study

1.6. Significance of the Study

1.7. Research Methodology

1.8. Synopsis of Chapters

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION

9
2.1. Introduction

2.2. Conceptual Clarifications

2.2.1. Definition of Youth, Drug and Drug Abuse

2.2.2. Types of Drug Abuse

2.2.3. What are the Agencies Governing Drug Abuse

2.3. Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE: APPRAISAL OF THE SOCIO-LEGAL EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE

ON NIGERIAN YOUTHS

3.1. Introduction

3.2 The Physical Effects of Drug Abuse

3.3. The Psychological Effects of Drug Abuse

3.4. The Socio-Legal Effects

CHAPTER FOUR: OVERVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO COMBAT

DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Control Measures put in place to Combat Drug Abuse

4.3. Effectiveness of the control measure put in place by the Government to curb Drug Abuse

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION

5.1. Summary of Findings

5.2. Recommendations

10
5.3. Contributions to Knowledge

5.4. Areas for Further Studies

5.5. Conclusion.

11