Drug Abuse and Effectiveness of Legislative Enforcement in Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, Abia State, Nigeria

1Background to the study

Drug abuse has become a major social problem confronting the Nigerian people and the world at large with its devastating impact across the globe. Drug abuse poses a serious threat to local, national and global development and stability. The mid 1990s and beyond has witnessed the emergence and growth of drug abuse and trafficking in drugs. This explains why governments, local and international organizations, researcher and people across the world have in recent times express genuine concern about the worrisome state of drug abuse and trafficking in different part of the globe (United Nations on drug and crime report, 2021). The socio-economic impact of drug abuse and trafficking in drug are quite significant and profound because of the vast illegal profits it generates: an estimated 322 billion dollars a year. In several drug distribution chains; criminal group undermine state authority and the rule of law by fueling corruption and hurting the legitimate economy. In all case, criminal influence exerts significant impact on the livelihoods and quality of citizens’ (quinnones, cited in Akor, 2020).

Essentially, drug use does not constitute a social problem if the drugs are prescribed and consumed in stated doses to prevent or cure an ailment. Rather, it is drug abuse and addiction that give rise to social problems. Nigeria has one of the highest rates of drug abuse in Africa with an estimate 14.3 million people age 15 – 64 years using psychoactive substance. These statistics highlight the significant impact of drug abuse on crime rate within communities (UNODC, 2024).

Accidental drug overdose is a leading cause of death among persons under the age of 45. Over 70,000 drug overdose deaths occur in us annually. The number of overdose deaths increases at an annual rate of 4.0%. But here in Nigeria there is no reliable statistics as for those who dies as result of overdose. Drug abuse often results in comorbidity – nearly 50% of person who have substance abuse disorder also experience mental illness. 11billion was incurred in health care cost related to the use of illegal drugs and 26 billion for prescription opioids (National Drug Law Enforcement Agent (NDLEA), 2023)

Many Less developing countries, like Nigeria are caught in the vicious problem of drug abuse. Drug addiction causes a huge cost on human resources as well as it promotes illegal production and distribution. It has a direct impact on the social and economic aspect of the nation (Ereh & Omatseye, 2017).

The drug abuse results in violence at home and gang wars in cities, increase crimes and even stresses the public health system and we find young people addicted to drugs. Drug abuse or addition not only breaks the family harmony but also puts high economic burden on the society (Oluwaseun, Adeyemi & Oluwatoyin, 2023).

. The situation demands the need for the conceptualizing and developing a comprehensive strategic tools and frameworks for control and addressing multifaceted challenges associated with drug abuse by various stake holders, especially, the government at various levels.

Similarly, drug abuse among staff members in colleges of education is an issue that deserves attention. Academic and non-academic staff may experience occupational stress, Financial difficulties, family responsibilities, emotional challenges and other pressures associated with their professional and personal lives. In some circumstances, individual may resort to alcohol, sedatives, stimulants or medically inappropriate, may affect their health, professional conduct, productivity, relationship with students and overall quality of educational service delivery. The consequences of drug abuse among staff and students in the college extend beyond the individuals involved. For student’s substance abuse may lead to poor academic achievement, indiscipline, involvement in criminal activities, sexual risk taking, violence among others (UNODC, 2024).

It is on the above premise that the researcher examined the various aspect of drug abuse, socio-economic impact, and the effectiveness of various control measures and strategic tools in Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu.

2Statement of the problem

Drug abuse is a pervasive global public health crisis, with the world Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over 270 million people use illicit drugs in 2020. Many Less developing countries like Nigeria, bear a disproportionate burden due to systemic vulnerabilities such as poverty, weak governance and limited healthcare infrastructure. Essentially, Nigeria‘s position as a transit hub for international drug trafficking, especially, between Latin America, Asia, Europe exacerbates its challenges. West Africa accounts for 87% of global pharmaceutical opioid seizures, with Nigeria playing a central role due to porous borders and corruption. This global trade has intensified local consumption and diversified the type of drug available, from traditional cannabis to synthetic opioids like fentanyl (UNODC reports, 2021).

Nigeria has one of the highest rates of drug abuse in Africa with an estimate 14.3 million people age 15 – 64 years using psychoactive substance. The most commonly abused substance includes cannabis, tramadol, codeine and heroin, with emerging trends in the abuse of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine (UNODC report, 2021). Arochukwu LGA, where the Abia State College of Education (Technical) is located is not left behind on the drug abuse and addiction.

Colleges of education in Nigeria are important institutions responsible for training and producing teachers who contribute to national development. These institutions accommodate both staff and student’s member who play significant roles in the educational system. Students are expected to acquire acknowledge, professional skills and good moral values, while staff member are expected to provide quality teaching, administration, guidance and supervision. However, the problem of drug abuse within the education system may negatively affect the achievement of these responsibility.

Despite government intervention and legislation on illicit drugs abuse and consumption, and coupled with enforcement team of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agents (NDLEA) the drug abuse and addiction have continued to persist in the community with its devastating consequences upon the people. There has been reported cases of rape and criminality in the College largely attributed to drug abuse and addiction. Besides, the prevalence and pattern of drug abuse has not been well explored in the study area. Therefore, the study explored the socio-economic impact of drug abuse and the effectiveness of the legislative instrument in the study area.

3Research questions

The following research questions were used to guide the study:

1. 1. How do members of the public in study area see drug abuse?
2. 2. What is the place of gender on drug abuse?
3. 3. What are the socio-economic consequences of drug abuse in Arochukwu?
4. 4. To what extent is the legislation on drug abuse in the study area being enforced?
5. 5. How will the menace of drug abuse be substantially curb in the study area?

4Objectives of the study

The general objective of this study is to investigate drug abuse and effectiveness of legislative instruments in Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, Abia State. The specific objectives are as follows.

1. 1. To find out how members of the public see drug abuse in Arochukwu.
2. 2. To ascertain the place of gender in drug abuse.
3. 3. To determine the socio-economic consequences of drug abuse in the study area
4. 4. To examine the extent to which the legislation on drug abuse is being enforced
5. 5. To ascertain how the problem of drug abuse can be substantially curbed.

5Operational definition of concepts

It is an acceptable practice to define some key concepts used in a study, such as this, in order to clarify their usage and meaning. In keeping to this tradition, the following concepts used in this study are defined below.

• Drug abuse: This refers to the use of drugs without a doctor’s or other medical personnel’s prescription.
• Ever-married: This refers to persons who are married, separated, divorced or widowed.
• Higher education: This means an academic qualification of Ordinary Diploma/Nigeria Certificate in Education, first degree and above.
• Low education: This refers to no academic qualification or a qualification below ordinary level.
• Older respondents: This refers to respondents aged thirty-eight years and above.
• Poverty: This refers to a condition in which individuals have low command over, or lack of access to, essential goods and services necessary for a decent living.
• Younger respondents (younger persons): This refers to respondents aged eighteen to thirty-seven years.

6Literature review

Garba (2003) drug is any substance natural or synthetic origin that can be used to alter perception, mood or other psychological states. It means drug is anything that people use to change the way they feel, think or behave. Essentially, drug abuse depicts the unspecified used of drugs against the prescribed medical purposes. It is also the self-administration of drugs, especially commonly abused drugs referred to as “psychoactive drugs”. These drugs exert major effects on the brain and the central nervous system by sedation, stimulant or changed mood. Names of commonly used substances and drugs include tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, cannabis, opium, amphetamine, kolanuts, coffee, aspirin and codeine among others (Radda & Dukku, 2020).

Drug enforcement is the systematic application of laws, policies, regulatory measures, and institutional mechanism by the government agencies to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute activities associated with illegal production, distribution, possession, and the use of control substances and maintained public order and security (NDLEA, 2004)

Maguire et al. (2012) identified five drug use behaviors: experimental, functional, dysfunctional, dependent and continued. The experimental use shows occasional, curious short-term trial of one or more drugs, functional use represents use that serve some purpose, example, recreation, but one does not cause problems for the user. As the name implies dysfunctional use leads to impaired psychological or social functioning, harmful use that causes damage to the user’s physical or mental health. Dependent use involves tolerance and or withdrawal symptoms, if use is ceased, while continued use represents the extreme and compulsive use behavior that signals addictive tendencies.

Drug abuse has far – reaching consequences that extend beyond the individual and can significantly impact society as a whole, from health consequences to financial burden and productivity losses, the socio-economic impact of drug abuse is substantial, on the individual, family, wider society and government (Erah & Omatseye, 2017).

The socio-economic hardship in the country tend to lure young men and women into being disposable and vulnerable for recruitment into illicit drug business. Individual who abuse drug are more likely to engage in criminal activities. In a study conducted by the Bureau of statistics it was found that 17% of state prisoners and 18% of federal inmates committed their offences to obtain money; for drug (UNDP Report, 2019)

Drug abuse control refers to various efforts made by government and non-governmental agency to mitigate and prevent the drug abuse and addiction.

6.1Pattern and prevalence

According to the national drug use survey conducted by the united Nation Office on Drugs and Crime and the National bureau of Statistics approximately14.4% of Nigerian aged 15 -65years (about 14.3million people) used drug at least in the previous year. This prevalence is significantly higher than the global average reported for drug use. (National Bureau of Statistics, 2025). Drug abuse in Nigeria has reach a worrisome level with about 14.4% of the adult population affected. The pattern is characterized by widespread us of cannabis, Prescription opioids (especially tramadol and codeine), stimulants and other illicit drugs. Children and young people are also not left out (National Bureau of Statistics, 2021). The frequent assault on the streets, abduction and disappearances and the rise of the phenomena such as violent campus cult, gangs and vigilantism, children are both victims and in some cases perpetrators of such criminal activities. In addition, they have increasingly become caught up in harmful drugs, both as users and as peddlers (UNICEF, 2001).

The absence of update of Police statistics makes it difficult to assess the magnitude of the involvement of children in various types of criminal activity, or impact of crime on children as victims. Nevertheless, accounts in the media, as well as the police parading of armed robbery suspects, indicate that most of those engaged in violent crime are either young adult or teenagers (UNICEF 2001). One media source, citing the police, has reported that three out of every ten criminal arrested in the cities of Ibadan, Kano and Onitsha is under aged of 18 (Tell,May 2000 as cited in UNICEF 2001).

6.2Empirical review on drug abuse

Gender and Drug abuse in Nigeria: National evidence demonstrates substantial gender differences in overall drug use. According to Nigeria drug survey approximatelly10.85 million men and 3.43 million women were estimated to have used drugs in the previous year. Overall prevalence was 21.8% among men and 7.0% among women. Cannabis displayed one of the largest gender differences: 18.8% of men compared with 2.6% of women. Opioid use was also more among men Cough syrups were exceptional, with women having slightly higher estimated prevalence than men. A study of secondary–school students in Ogun State involving 911 students reported the use of several substances, including analgesics, mild stimulant, alcohol, antibiotics and diazepam. Female students use diazepam significantly more than male students in the study. The researcher noted that many respondents had first contact with the drug during primary school years. The study reinforces the importance of early prevention programmes that consider gender specific pattern of drug expose (Oluwatoyin, 2023 & UNODC, 2018).

According to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNODC reported that Nigeria’s prevalence rate of 14.4%, compare with a 5.6% global prevalence in 2016. This means that Nigeria’s recorded prevalence was more than twice the global average (UNODC 2019)

7Methodology

Cross-sectional survey design is used, because the study is meant to obtain and analyze data within a relatively short period of time. The area of the study is Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu. This area is chosen for this study because of the high concentration of young and adult population who largely resort to chemist to buy drug without doctor’s prescription. The only general hospital in Arochukwu only provides visiting Doctor from Umuahia, the Capital city of Abia State. The target population is the staff and students of the college18 – 65 years’. The age category covers majority of the drug abusers in the study area. The sample size of 180 respondents was selected through a simple random technique from the target population consisting of students and staff of the college. In addition, 10 security personnel were selected for in-depth interview (IDI) through purposive sampling technique. The instrument for data collection were questionnaire and in-depth interview (IDI. In the administration, 2 research assistants were selected and trained in line with objectives and methods of the study. The instrument was tested for reliability through pre-test that was carried out in the study area to ensure consistency. The data collected were analyzed with the use of the Statistical Package for Social sciences ( SPSS).

8Data presentation and analysis

This section presents the analysis of the data for this study. Of the one hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires administered to the members of the college community, one hundred and seventy four (174) questionnaires were clearly completed and returned and used in the analyses.

Table 1 presents the distribution of respondents on whether drug abuse is increasing or decreasing.

Opinion	Frequency	Percentage
Increasing	155	89.0
Decreasing	14	8.3
Cannot say	5	2.7
Total	174	100.0

Note: Field survey, 2026.

Table 1 shows the opinion of respondents on whether drug abuse is increasing or decreasing in the study area. A majority the respondents (89%) were of the opinion that drug abuse has been increasing, 8.3% were of the opinion that it has been decreasing. Only 2.7% of the respondents cannot say it is increasing nor decreasing. The finding revealed that drug abuse is on the increase. This finding is consistent with the view of a male respondent in the IDI session, who argued that the concerns of the public is that there are no adequate qualified medical personnel in Arochukwu metropolis. The two medical doctors employed in Arochukwu general hospital are not resident in Arochukwu rather come from Umuahia on a regular visitation. Drug abuse becomes a means of survival, great majority resort to patent medicine vendors to buy drugs, without doctor’s prescription.

Table 2 presents the distribution of respondents on the socio-economic impact of drug abuse.

Socio-economic impact	Frequency	Percentage
Brain damage	15	8.5
Prolonged ailment	47	27.5
Depression	19	10.7
Poverty	25	14.2
Personality disorder	15	8.6
Loss of job	4	2.5
Reduction in productivity	9	5.2
Road accident	35	20.2
Death of spouse	5	2.9
All of the above	–	–
Total	174	100.0

Note: Field survey, 2026.

Table 2 shows the distribution of respondents on the socio-economic consequences of drug abuse in the study area. A majority of the respondents 27.5% were of the opinion that prolong ailment is one of the major consequences of drug abuse. This was closely followed by accident 20.2%, Poverty 14.2%. Others are brain damage 8.5%, Depression 10.7%, Personality disorder 8.6%. loss of job 2.5%, Reduction in productivity 5.2%, and death of a spouse 2.9%.

Table 3 presents the distribution of respondents by assessment of the enforcement of laws on drug abuse.

Assessment of enforcement	Frequency	Percentage
Very effective	5	2.6
Effective	7	4.0
Fairly effective	39	22.6
Not effective	56	32.4
Very ineffective	63	36.2
Can’t say	4	2.2
Total	174	100.0

Note: Field survey, 2026.

Table 3 shows the respondents’ assessment of the enforcement on the law against drug abuse. The table indicates that majority of the respondents (36.2%) were of the opinion that enforcement of laws against drug abuse is very ineffective. This is closely followed by 32.4% of the respondents who said that enforcement was not effective, while 22.6% of the respondents rated it fairly effective. Others reported enforcement as: very effective (2.5%), effective (4.0%), and can’t say (2.2%). On the whole, the study revealed that the enforcement of the laws against drug abuse are not effective (68.6%) hence the increase in drug abuse. The finding is in line with the IDI session, where majority of the respondents were of the view that the enforcement of the laws on drug abuse are not effective.

Table 4 presents the distribution of respondents on whether drug abuse can be curbed.

Whether drug abuse can be curbed	Frequency	Percentage
Yes	111	64.0
No	17	10.0
Can’t say	45	26.0
Total	174	100.0

Note: Field survey, 2026.

Table 4 shows that 64.0% of the respondents were of the opinion that can be curbed to the barest minimum; while 10.0% of the respondents held the view that drug abuse cannot be reduced. About one- fourth of the respondents (26.0%) were within the ‘can’t say’ category. The study revealed that majority of the respondents was of the view that drug abuse can be curbed to the barest minimum. This portrays a situation of hope for members of the society on the prevalence drug abuse.

A follow up question was posed on the reason for answering ‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘can’t say’ respondents who answered ‘Yes’ were of the view that government may employ more qualified medical personnel on the general hospital in the study area and insure there are resident Doctors with good social amenities, effective legislation/enforcement, create awareness on the Socio-economic consequences of drug abuse, and create job opportunities for people will go a long way to curb drug abuse in the study area. However, respondents who answered ‘No’ and ‘Can’t say’ wondered how it could be reduced when drug abuse has been on increase in the Arochukwu. These respondents also believed that there is no political will by the state government to reduce drug abuse; hence it is on increase.

8.1Assessment of the enforcement of legislation on drug abuse by socio-demographic variables

To measure the assessment of the enforcement of among respondents. The respondents were asked thus: How do they assess the enforcement of various law on drug abuse? The respondents who answered ‘Very effective’, ‘effective’ and ‘fairly effective; were regarded as rating the enforcement of drug abuse as effective. Those who answered ‘Not effective’, ‘very ineffective’ and ‘Cannot say’ were regarded as rating it as not effective.

Table 5 presents the respondents’ sex by assessment of the enforcement of laws on drug abuse (% in parentheses).

Sex	Effective n (%)	Not effective n (%)	Total n (%)
Male	28 (56.6)	69 (55.4)	97 (56.0)
Female	22 (43.4)	55 (44.6)	77 (44.0)
Total	50 (100.0)	124 (100.0)	174 (100.0)

Note: Field survey, 2026; χ² = 2.388, df = 1, p = .070.

Table 5 shows that 56.6% of male respondents and 43.4% of female respondents rate the enforcement of legislation on drug abuse as effective. This is as against 55.6 % of male respondents and 44.6% of female respondents who rate it as not effective. There is no significant difference (x2 = 2.388, df = 1, p = .070) between sex of the respondents and assessment of enforcement of drug abuse. However, more male than female respondents perceive the enforcement of drug abuse as effective. This is surprising because there were more male than female respondents who were favourably disposed to drug abuse, therefore, would not want government to enforce laws designed to curb drug abuse. However, government laws to address the problem of drug abuse are widely believed to be ineffective. This is evidenced in many of the IDI sessions. This is something to worry about because the impact of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are not being felt in the study area.

Table 6 presents the respondents’ education by assessment of the enforcement of laws on drug abuse (% in parentheses).

Educational qualification	Effective n (%)	Not effective n (%)	Total n (%)
Low education	27 (54.0)	41 (33.0)	68 (39.0)
High education	23 (46.0)	83 (67.0)	106 (61.0)
Total	50 (100.0)	124 (100.0)	174 (100.0)

Note: Field survey, 2026; χ² = 19.876, df = 1, p = .000.

Table 6 shows that 54.0% of the respondents with low education and 46.0% of the respondents with high education rate enforcement drug abuse as effective, while 33.0% of the respondents with low education and 67.0% of respondents with high education rated enforcement of drug abuse as not effective.

There is a significant difference (x2 = 19.876, df = 1, p = .000) between education and assessment of enforcement of drug abuse among respondents. However, more low education than high education respondents’ rates enforcement of drug abuse as effective. This is surprising because respondents with low education were the group more favourably disposed to drug abuse than high education category, therefore, may not rate government policy as more effective. The information by low education respondents may be deceitful for they may not like government to intensify efforts against drug sellers in markets and motto parks. However, majority of the respondents (33.0%) and (67.0%) of low and high education respectively, rated the enforcement of drug abuse not effective.

The finding above is consistent with the one of the IDI interviewees at Arochukwu, who stated thus:

“My friend, government has done nothing to reduce abuse in Arochukwu and its environs, in the open market, moto parks and building site people take Indian helm, cocaine and anti-depressant drug to enable them work effectively during the day. Some of had drug seller sale to law enforcement agents. The drug dealers see it as alternative way to enhance income for family survival income, therefore enforcement is not effective.”

Another IDI respondent a legal practitioner had this to say;

“Abia State government lacks political will to enforce laws on drug abuse. It is obvious that drug abuse is on increase in Arochukwu with its attendant consequences and causing nuisance for the road users among others. Government has not been sensitive to this, because its leaders are not the first line of impact. Besides, lack of qualified medical personnel compelled some people resort to patent medicine vendors and open market to buy drugs without doctor’s prescription.”

Table 7 presents the respondents’ age by assessment of the enforcement of laws on drug abuse (% in parentheses).

Age	Effective n (%)	Not effective n (%)	Total n (%)
Younger respondents	32 (64.8)	78 (62.7)	104 (60.0)
Older respondents	18 (36.2)	46 (37.3)	70 (40.0)
Total	50 (100.0)	124 (100.0)	174 (100.0)

Note: Field survey, 2026; χ² = 14.229, df = 1, p = .691.

Table 7 shows the assessment of younger respondents, (18 – 37 years) and older respondents (38 years and above) on enforcement legislation on drug abuse. Younger respondents (64.8%) are more likely to assess enforcement of drug abuse more effective than older respondents (36.2%). There is no significant different (x2 = 14.229, df = 1, p = .691) between age and assessment of enforcement of drug abuse. However, younger respondents are more likely to assess enforcement of drug abuse more effective than older respondents. This is expected because some of the younger respondents do use drugs to engage in deviant activities.

Table 8 presents the respondents’ marital status by assessment of the enforcement of laws on drug abuse (% in parentheses).

Marital status	Effective n (%)	Not effective n (%)	Total n (%)
Single	14 (27.5)	41 (33.3)	68 (39.2)
Ever-married	36 (72.5)	83 (66.7)	106 (60.8)
Total	50 (100.0)	124 (100.0)	174 (100.0)

Note: Field survey, 2026; χ² = 29.720, df = 1, p = .159.

The marital status data in Table 8 indicate that of all respondents who assess government legislation on drug abuse as effective, 27.5% were single and 72.5% were ever-married. There is no significant difference (x2=29.720, df =1, p=.159) between marital status and assessment of enforcement on drug abuse. However, more of the ever-married respondents rated enforcement more effective than single respondents. Similarly, single respondent 33.3% and ever-married 66.7% rated legislation on drug abuse as not effective, therefore, a majority of the respondents were of the opinion that legislation on drug abuse is not effective.

8.2Hypothesis one

H₁: Males are more likely to be favourably disposed to support drug abuse than females.

H₀: Males are not more likely to be favourably disposed to support drug abuse than Female

Table 9 presents the distribution of respondents by sex and disposition to drug abuse (% in parentheses).

Sex	Highly disposed n (%)	Slightly disposed n (%)	Not disposed n (%)	Total n (%)
Male	45 (66.4)	32 (52.9)	30 (65.1)	117 (67.2)
Female	23 (33.6)	28 (47.1)	16 (34.9)	57 (32.8)
Total	68 (100.0)	60 (100.0)	46 (100.0)	174 (100.0)

Note: Field survey, 2026; χ² = 125.530, df = 2, p = .000; critical χ² = 5.991.

Table 9 shows that of all the respondents that were highly disposed to support drug abuse 66.4% were male, while 33.6% were female. The chi-square statistics indicates that there is a positive relationship between sex and disposition to drug abuse (x2 = 125.530, df = 2, p = .000). Chi-square test result shows that computed x2 is 125.530 while the critical x2 value is 5.991 and df =2. When the calculated value is higher than the critical value, we then accept the hypothesis which says that male respondents are more likely to be disposed to support drug abuse than female respondents.

8.3Hypothesis two

H₁: Persons with low education are more likely to be favourably disposed to support drug abuse than persons with high education

H₀: Person with low education are not more likely to be favourably disposed to support drug abuse than persons with high education.

Table 10 presents the distribution of respondents by educational qualification and disposition to drug abuse (% in parentheses).

Educational qualification	Highly disposed n (%)	Slightly disposed n (%)	Not disposed n (%)	Total n (%)
Low education	60 (69.4)	21 (54.2)	36 (71.5)	74 (42.6)
High education	26 (30.6)	17 (45.8)	14 (28.5)	100 (57.4)
Total	86 (100.0)	38 (100.0)	50 (100.0)	174 (100.0)

Note: Field survey, 2026; χ² = 253.551, df = 2, p = .000; critical χ² = 5.991.

Table 10 shows that of all the respondents who were highly disposed to support drug abuse, 69.4% were of low education, while 30.6% were high education category. The chi-square statistics indicated that there is a significant relationship between educational qualification and support to drug abuse (x2 = 253.551, df = 2, p = .000). Chi-square test result shows that computed x2 is 253.551, while the critical x2 value is 5.991 and df=2. When the calculated value is higher than the critical value we then accept the hypothesis which says that respondents with low education are more likely to support drug abuse than those with high education..

9Discussion of findings

The study has shown that majority of the respondents (89%) were of the view that drug abuse has been consistently on increase in the study area in Arochukwu, Abia State. The reason may be as a result of lack of understanding on the dangers associated with drug abuse. The prevalence of drug abuse across major towns and cities in Nigeria has continued to be a source of national and international concern. It is so worrisome that young adults are the majority in the drug abuse category. This portrays great danger to the country’s future man-power development as well as social security.

The majority of the respondents were of opinion that the males are more likely to be favourably disposed to support drug abuse than their female counterpart. The reason is largely attributed to daily economic challenges; some male labourers do take certain hard drugs like cannabis, and psychotropic substance to remain active at work place. The finding is consistent to Nigeria drug survey report, approximatelly10.85 million men and 3.43 million women were estimated to have used drugs in the previous year. Overall prevalence was 21.8% among men and 7.0% among women. Majority of the respondents (31%) and (30 2%) viewed self-medication and peer group respectively as a major causes of drug abuse in the study areas. Others were loss of job, lack education, and feeling high. All the factors mentioned here are indices of poverty - either material or mental poverty. Drug abuse impaired the developmental processes of the young adult both physically, socially, psychologically and morally. The study identified brain damage, prolong ailment, depression, poverty, personality disorder, loss of job and loss of spouse as the socio-economic consequences of drug abuse and among others. The majority of the respondents (73.7%) rated enforcement of drug abuse not effective.

The study also revealed that socio-demographic indices such as education, age, gender, and marital status were statistically significant variables to drug abuse. It was discovered in this study that young adult (53.4%) were more favourably disposed to drug abuse than their older person. The reason is largely attributed to the fact that young adult may lack proper awareness on dangers to drug abuse than their older person. Respondents in the high education category appear to be knowledgeable about the negative effect of drug abuse.

Despite the problem associated with drug abuse in the study area; majority of our respondents (64.0%) were of the view that it can be reduced. Some of the ways drug abuse can be reduce is by creating awareness on the negative consequences on drug abuse, through conducting workshops and seminars. Others are effective poverty alleviation programme, provision of social amenities, and inviting National Drug Law enforcement agency to speak on drug related substance, and strengthening relevant institutional structure and policies on drug abuse.

10Conclusion

The study examined the Socio-Economic impact of drug abuse in the study area. The overall objective was therefore to determine extent of the drug abuse in Abia State College of Education (Technical ), Arochukwu . The study revealed a high prevalence of drug abuse in study areas; the reason is largely attribution to prolonged institutional decay; people now resort to self-medication; partly to the fact that some people go to chemist shop or open market to buy drug of their choice. The reason for the increase in drug abuse is largely due to poverty, unemployment harsh government policies, institutional failure and inadequate enforcement of laws associated with it. Essentially, drug abuse is injurious to the physical, social, cognitive and moral development of everybody that engages in it as it leads to prolonged sickness and ultimate death. The implication is that state intervention is necessary on the campaign against drug abuse in the study area, in Abia State, Nigeria.

11Recommendations

Based on the finding s the following recommendation can be made:

1. 1. There should be an enlightenment campaigns on the negative impact of drug abuse by government and non-governmental agencies. This can be achieved through the media, television advert, radio jingles and town hall meetings. The campaign should be extended to churches and mosque.
2. 2. School authorities should provide accessible guidance and counselling services where students can discuss personal problems, academic pressure, emotional difficulties, and substance use without fear of discrimination.
3. 3. Strict enforcement of school rules by College authorities and enforce policies against the possession, distribution, and misuse of prohibited drugs on the school environment,
4. 4. The college authorities should encourage students to form peer-support groups and anti-drug club that promote healthy lifestyles and discourage drug misuse among their colleagues.
5. 5. Government should provide sporting facilities, clubs, cultural activities, and other constructive programmes to help students and staff to manage stress and use their leisure time productively.
6. 6. College Management should collaborate with health professional and relevant agencies to provide drug-prevention education, screening where appropriate, and support for affected students.

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