International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Drug Abuse, Youths and National Security Implications for Nigeria

 AKINPELU, Ibrahim Lanre
Department of Governance and Public Policy, Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, National Defence College, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract: Drug abuse among youth population is globally identified as a threat to national security, especially in Nigeria. Although Nigeria was initially conceived as a drug-transit nation, regrettably, that conception has changed in recent times. It has profoundly aggravated to become a pose for drug abuse. Despite the counter narcotics efforts by NDLEA and other government agencies, a sizeable amount of youth population in Nigeria still abuse drugs. This study examined drug abuse among Nigerian youths and its implications for national security. The study reveals that the preponderance increase of drugs abuse in Nigeria is a veritable tool for violent crimes, aggression and youth restiveness. Erosion of human capital, unproductivity of youth population, deteriorating health as well as threat to national security were also key factors. The study relies on the analysis of secondary interpretative documents related to youth drug abuse and national security in Nigeria. The study also identified environment, family background, curiosity, enjoyment, parents socio-economic status, peer pressure as well as promotion and availability of drugs as the major contributing factors to the rising trends of drug abuse among youths in Nigeria. Adopting socio-cultural, biological, social-learning and securitization theories, the study concludes by prescribing some ways of curbing the menace arising from drug abuse and recommends for capacity building and strengthening of the NDLEA and other relevant agencies, increased awareness campaigns against drug abuse, educating students at all levels on the negative impact of drug abuse as well as parental involvement in the struggle.

Keywords: Drug Abuse, National Security, Youths

I. INTRODUCTION

Drug abuse is emerging as a global public health issue, with every part of the world having a fair share of this menace. It has been a major threat that cut across almost all spheres of life. It has the capacity to negatively influence social, political, economic, and psychological aspects of peoples’ lives. In recent times, drug use had cut across ages, as it could be found among the young and old. Cultural differences has gotten almost nothing to do with drug abuse, likewise gender hasn’t been a factor as both males and females engage in this anti-social behaviour. The recent world drug report-2021 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that around 275 million people, 5.5 per cent of the population aged between 15 and 64 years, had used drugs in the previous year, while over 36.3 million people or 13 per cent of the total number of persons who use drugs, suffer from drug use disorders. (UNODC, 2021).