THE EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE ON THE YOUTH IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

In totality, the aim of this topic “the effects of drug abuse on the youth” is to find out the causes and its effects so as to proffer solution that it will help reduce drug abuse among the youth and the entire people of the community understudy. These research is also carried out in chapters, in chapter one it introduce the background of the entire work, it identified the problems and its objectives, in chapter two it deals with the literature review which entails what the authors says about the abuse of drug and it effects to human being and the society at large. Also in chapter three and four it discuss the methodology that the researcher design, the instrument used and the problems encounter also the data presentation democratic distribution of the respondent and the level of awareness to the consumers while in chapter five it deals with the summary of the entire work and possible recommendation that will help reduce the abuse of drug among youth so that the youth of productive age can be relevant to the society and nation building.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

In every language, the word drug means any substances or chemical prescribe for medical reasons. However, it is one of the substances which alter the way the body functions. Many who condemn young people for using the illegal drug like heroin, cocaine, smoke and drink heavily themselves, ignoring the facts that these are the most abuse drugs of addiction.

On the subject drugs the Australian medical society on Alcohol and drug related problem stated. Drug in Australia account for one in five admissions are related to general hospital, in psychiatric hospital. One in two admissions are related to alcohol or drugs abuse.

In this country drugs abuse and alcohol affect serious crime and also contribute to fatalities Barry, 1984.

Drug abuse can be traced in Kabong community long before the period of colonial era. The general perception is that drug abuse are for motivation, intoxication and adequate performance both physical and socially. Some equally belief that it is philosophical that is it gives them wonderful ideas and though.

Other said it is an “oil of conversation” which means when taken, it enables them to talk well and meaningfully or rationally.

The topic of this research is “The effect of drug abuse on the youth” A case study of Jos South Local Government in Plateau state. Drug is a very strong substance, made from different grain and herb with the mixture of many strong chemicals. It has a very serious short term effect. It charge within no time, it has been found to bring instability in work place as a result of an increased amount of the intake.

Boris (1974) say drug abuse can play or serve a significant role in everyday interpersonal affaires although there is no data shown, but many youth in Nigeria are user, however, there are many other users of drug that is beyond moderate level to them, drug abuse constitute a vey solving problem and this condition appears to be based on an underlined psychological abnormality.

Drug abuse seriously affect the individuals health and social function, it also hurt the users family, friends and colleagues and society as whole.

Swaggart (1984), identify the havoc caused by excessive drug abuse. According to him it has broken up more homes, murdered more human beings, made papers of more people starved more children, started more war, wrecked more careers, cause more any single  factor on the surface of the earth.

Ejikeme (2003), equally identify problems associated with drug and alcohol abuse to include insomnia, injuries or even death incurred while driving etc under the influence of drug abuse increasing, likelihood of involvement in animal behavior (to finance the addiction); sickness resulting from the neglect of personal hygiene, toxic psychoses (may be precipitate by a single dose). Memory difficulties, high blood pressure, manpower loss, violent behavior and socially undersirable behavior.

Excessive abuse of drug may cause physically or psychological dependence or both may coexist  in one individual. Drug abuse may also bring conflict between the user and the society. It may lead to social problem and also create conflict within user and his social environment (Ejikeme 2011).

Within the Kabong community of Jos south local government area, there appears to be an increasing rate of drug abuse in family setting. An observation shows that this practices of drug abuse is prominent among both sex though this observation also indicated that most of the female who abuse drug do not openly indulge in this practice due to socio-cultural reasons. Drug abuse indeed one of the major social problem being faced today by the youth of kabong community of Jos south, it account for a large portion of such problem and it has raise health, and marital issue for social welfare agencies.