Assessing Institutional Mechanism and Ways in Combating Drug Abuse in Nigeria

ABSTRACT  

Drug abuse among youths in Nigeria has been a problem to the youths and the society in General. The consequences of drug abuse are not only on the individual user but also on his or her offspring, family and the society. To this effect, the study seeks to assess institutional mechanism and appropriate ways in combating drug abuse and other related drugs in Nigeria and to direct the youths on the way to follow to become useful to themselves, their families and to the Nigerian society at large. To achieve this, materials for this research were sourced from primary and secondary sources and analysed through qualitative analysis. The study concluded that effects of drug abuse especially among our youths and society are so devastating and therefore requires an effective and appropriate mechanism in combating this menace. The institutional mechanism recommended for this study will start from the family as an institution, school as an institution, society as an institution, government as an institution and lastly Church as an institution. Parents should train up their children in the fear of the Lord and they should re-orientate them on the adverse of drug abuse on their health, society and human dignity because charity begins at home as they say, the Ministry of Education (Federal and State) should add to their curricula “Drug Education” for both the primary, secondary and tertiary schools in Nigeria. They should always organize lectures, seminars, rallies, film show etc for the Nigerian youths on the effects of drug abuse. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Abuse Control and other control groups should not relent in carrying out their responsibilities on drug abuse in order to make Nigeria a drug abuse free society with a special focus on the Nigerian youths because they are the future leaders of this great country, Nigeria. The Nigerian government as a whole should always be educating the public on the dangers of drug abuse through awareness, programme for the Nigerian youths and lastly, the church should not fail in her roles prayer, preaching etc in order to control or stop drug abuse in the Nigerian society.