North-East tops drug abuse in Nigeria – Survey
July 25, 2013 by Sodiq Oyeleke
A
survey result by the NOI Polls has identified poverty and unemployment
as the major causes of drug and substance abuse by teenagers and young
adults in Nigeria.
The survey result, which was released on
Tuesday, revealed that there was a high level of drugs and substance
abuse in Nigeria with the South-East zone of the country having the
highest level of drug and substance abuse in the country.
The survey stated, “On the causes of
drugs and substance abuse, reactions of respondents show that the most
significant cause of drugs and substance abuse, as highlighted by the
majority (36 per cent), is poverty and unemployment. Peer pressure,
societal influence and bad friends, also play important roles as causes
of drugs and substance abuse as these came second on the chart with 33
per cent.”
Other causes of drugs and substance abuse, according to the survey, include parental neglect, poor upbringing and indiscipline.
Corrupt society, ignorance, lack of
control, frustration, depression, stress, worry, loneliness and idleness
are also said to be responsible for drug abuse.
According to the survey, 90 per cent
abusers of drugs and substance are teenagers and young adults aged
between 15 and 29 years old.
Results from the survey shows that the
most abused substance in Nigeria is marijuana followed by codeine (cough
syrup) and alcohol.
Analysis from geo-political zones on
high level of drugs and substance abuse in Nigeria reveals that the
North-East zone tops the survey with 98 per cent; North-West zone, 96
per cent; and South-East zone 90 per cent.
Findings show that the most abused drug and substance in Nigeria is marijuana, as indicated by the majority of 34 per cent.
In exploring the most abused drugs and
substances from the geo-political zones perspective, findings show that
while the North-West has 43 per cent with marijuana as the most abused
substance, the North-East zone has 62 per cent with codeine (cough
syrup) as the most abused substance.
The survey recommended job creation, youth empowerment and creation of awareness as solutions to drug abuse in the country.
It said, “Since poverty, unemployment,
peer pressure, societal influence and bad friends came top as the major
causes associated with the rising abuse of drugs and substance. Careful
consideration should be given to the creation of more awareness on the
effects of drugs and substance abuse.
“This should be greatly supported by
youth empowerment and more job creation in order to generally improve
the standard of living especially amongst the age group identified. In
addition there should be more focus on the enforcement of laws and
penalties which should be enforced in order to keep a check and balance
on the drugs problem, which has greatly affected the Nigerian society.”
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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