PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the public perception of drug abuse among the youths of Calabar Municipality, Cross River State. In order to achieve this aim, four research objectives and some research questions were formulated to guide this study.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the Study

According to Wikler (1990:78), drug abuse, “is the overwhelming involvement with use of drugs, getting an adequate supply of it and a strong tendency to resume use of it after stopping for a period”. Also, the Encyclopedia of Social Science (2000:143) captured drug addiction as “behavioral pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by an overwhelming involvement with procurement and use of the drug and the high tendency of the user to relapse to drug use after a period of abstinence”. Consumption of psychoactive substance is an age-long phenomenon. In all known history and culture, psychoactive substances like alcohol, kola-nut etc have been in use for several reasons- energizer, elevation of mood, reduction of hunger, stress, and anxiety (James, 1999; Reids, 2006).

In America, Asia and Europe, these substances were used for energizer and food. For instance in San Francisco, Thio (2003:289) documented the wide use of cannabis by Chinos laborers for prolonged farming activity in their plantation. Similarly in Peru, Boliva and France, there was extensive use of opium, cocaine, cannabis etc for treatment of several ailments like stomach disorder, headache, fatigue, body pain and above all to wade off hunger (Mamman, 1993). The wide acceptance and use of these drugs resulted to devastating consequences like morphine addiction among veteran soldiers, escalated theft, homicide, promiscuity, etc (Cornwell and Cornwell, 1997). Sequel to this development, multifaceted programme like drug demand and supply reduction programmes, drug education, drug treatment and rehabilitation centers were put in place to tackle the scourge of drug addiction and its associated problems in America, Asia, and Europe.  

Drug use can be defined as the appropriation of drugs by an individual taking into cognizance the medical and cultural norms of a given society (NAFDAC 2000, in Haladu, 2003). Haladu explained the term drug abuse as excessive and persistent self-administration of a drug without regards to the medically or culturally accepted patterns. it could also be viewed as the use of a drug to the extent that it interferes with the health and social function of an individual. World Book Encyclopedia (2004) defined drug use as the non-medical use of a drug that interferes with a healthy and productive life. Manbe(2008) defined drug abuse as the excessive maladaptive or addictive use of drugs for non-medical purpose.

On the other hand, youth is the intermediary stage in te life cycle of an individual. The youth period is the time of rapid development physically, psychologically and emotionally, which comes with a heightened awareness of self that often focuses on individuality, personal identity and fitting into the social mainstream (Sanusi,2010:1). The Nigerian ministry of youth development recorded that youth cover up to 70% of the entire Nigerian population (NPC,2009, NMYD, 2012). These therefore show that the Nigerian population is predominantly youth. The youth population of any nation represents the driving force for development. However, for the youths to become useful resources, they must be gainfully employed. The youths are also the most volatile and most vulnerable when their energies are misdirected or channeled into wrong endeavors through the process of socialization.

Public perception of drug use and abuse refers to public belief, awareness and knowledge of the phenomenon as a social problem. it encompasses public definitions, and public acceptability and perceived severity of different types of drugs abused by youths in the area. Drug use and abuse in this context is perceived as a social problem because of its negative consequences which usually leads to youth's involvement in criminal behavior, destruction of properties, of lives, mental retardation and madness etc.

1.1 Statement of the Research Problem

The problem of drug use and abuse poses great dangers/problems to the individual and the society at large. This is more dangerous when a large number of a society's population is identified as drug users and abusers. Drug abusers are usually vulnerable to chronic health problems such as depletion of the central nervous system, asthma, cancer, kidney failure, heart failure, and liver problems etc. Also, drug abuse is usually associated with aggressive behaviors, irritability and over excitement among other anti-social behaviors. This leads to violence and destruction of properties. The most commonly abused drugs are alcohol, cigarettes, tutolin, codeine, marijuana etc. The behaviors perpetrated by youths who abuse drugs are not acceptable to the society at large. Inhabitants of such communities usually live in fear and anxiety.

In most urban and rural centers, youths who abuse drugs are found idling and also get involved in some form of criminal activities. Some of these criminal activities may include prostitution, theft, assault, terrorism, burglary, armed robbery etc. More so, abuse of drugs may also lead to fatal motor accidents which usually cause injuries and in most cases claim lives.

It is in view of the aforementioned problems that the researcher proposed to investigate into the public perception of drug use and abuse among youths in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State. How do members of the public in Calabar Municipality, perceived the level of drug abuse by the youths?, what type(s) of drugs do members of the public consider to be mostly abused by the youths?. These are other research questions informed in this study.

1.2 Research Objectives

Generally, public perception of drug use and abuse is the main objective of the research. However, these specific questions guide the conduct of the research:

·         What are the common types of drugs greatly abused by youths in Calabar Municipality?

·         What are the factors responsible for drug use and abuse in Calabar Municipality?

·         What are the consequences of drug abuse among youths?

·         What are the possible ways of curbing the phenomenon of drug use and abuse among youths?

1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of the study is to investigate into the public perception of drug use and abuse among the youths of Calabar Municipality. Specific objectives of the study are to:

·         Identify the types of drugs members of the public consider to be highly abused by the youths in this area.

·         To find out from members of the public the reason/factor responsible for the use and abuse of drugs by the youths.

·         To find out sources through which the youths access these drugs.

·         To identify possible solutions for the problem of drug use and abuse by the youths in the study area.

TOPIC: PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 77

Price: 3000 NGN

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