Public Perception of Drug Addiction and Its Socio-Economic Implications in Nigeria: A Study of Enugu Urban

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at investigating the perception of the general public on the socio-economic implications of drug addiction in Nigeria. The study was conducted in Enugu urban and a sample of six hundred (600) respondents aged 18 years and above resident in Enugu urban were selected through simple random sampling. Structured questionnaires developed by the researcher were administrated to the respondents by six research assistants. In addition in depth interviews were conducted with nine officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Psychiatric hospital Enugu and Nigerian Prison Services; three were drawn from each organization. Also five (5) drug addicts each undergoing treatment/debilitation in NDLEA and psychiatric hospital Enugu and five convicted drug offers in Enugu prison were interviewed The information obtained from the questionnaires was analyzed using percentage (%) while chi-square (X2 ) was adapted in testing the hypotheses. The major findings of the study include: that the rate of consumption of illicit drugs is high in Nigeria; that alcohol and Indian herm ranked highest among the illicit drugs consumed. The study also found that drug use is dominated by males especially youth of productive ages. It was discovered that illicit drug use has severe negative socio-economic implications in Nigeria. Similarly, the study revealed that the major predisposing factor to drug use is peer influence; and that majority of the drug users sourced them from drug dealers. Finally, the study discovered that government has not done much in curbing drug consumption trend in Nigeria. The study made some recommendation in the area of repositioning the NDLEA, inclusion of drug education in educational curriculum and creation of job opportunities in the country to stem down drug consumption in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ i

Certification --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii

Approval page ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii

Dedication ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv

Acknowledgements ------------------------------------------------------------------------- v

Table of Content ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi

Abstract -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

 1.1 Background to the Study -------------------------------------------------------------- 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ------------------------------------------------------------- 4

1.3 Research Questions -------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

1.4 Objectives of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------- 8

1.5 Significance of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------ 9

 1.6 Definition of Concepts--------------------------------------------------------------- 10

 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.

 2.1 Trends in Drug Addiction ----------------------------------------------------------- 14

2.2 Impact of Drug Addiction ------------------------------------------------------------ 19

2.3 Causes of Drug Use and Addiction ------------------------------------------------ 28

 2.4 Review of Related Sociological Theories ---------------------------------------- 30

 2.5 Theoretical Framework -------------------------------------------------------------- 36

2.6 Study Hypotheses ------------------------------------------------------------------- 37

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.

3.1 Research Design ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 38

3.2 The Area and Scope of Study ------------------------------------------------------- 38

3.3 Study Population ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 39

3.4 Sample Size ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39

vi

3.5 Sampling Method --------------------------------------------------------------------- 40

3.6 Instrument for Data Collection ------------------------------------------------------- 41

3.7 Methods of Data Collection --------------------------------------------------------- 41

3.8 Methods of Data Analysis ------------------------------------------------------------ 42

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43

4.2 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents ---------------------------- 44

4.3 Section B: Public Perception of Drug Addiction --------------------------------- 48

4.3.1 Perception of general Public on Drug use and predisposing factors ---------- 48

4.3.2 Perception of the General Public on socio-economic Implication of

 Drug Addiction ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 53

4.3.3 Perception of the Public on how to curb drug use in Nigeria ----------------- 58

4.4 Test Hypothesis ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 60

4.5 Qualitative Analysis of the Interview ----------------------------------------------- 63

4.5.1 Analysis of Interview with the Officials of NDLEA, Psychiatric Hospital

 and Prisons officials Enugu -------------------------------------------------------- 63

4.5.2 Analysis of Interview with drug Addicts and Convicted Prisoners ---------- 65

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

 RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Discussion and Summary of the major Findings ---------------------------------- 71

5.2 Recommendations -------------------------------------------------------------------- 72

5.3 Suggested topic for further Research ----------------------------------------------- 73

5.4 Limitations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 74

References ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 75

Appendix ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 82