Evaluation of Substance Abuse Among In-School and Out-of-School Youths in Sokoto State, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate Substance abuse among in school and Out-of-school youth in Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria, the commonly use substances, causes, effects, and protection. Cross-sectional descriptive survey was used to cover some selected schools and Out-of-school groups, key informants and selling points in Sokoto. The obtained data was analyzed using content analysis. The results of the study show that, most of the respondents are males (93%), only few are females (6.7%). All the respondents are Muslims. Most of the Out-of-School Youth (OSY) are married (80%) and only 6.7% are married among in school youth (ISY).The respondent’s age was within 18-22 years in most cases. Most (80%) of ISY are at senior secondary classes, 46.7% of OSY left school after primary education, 26.7% never attended school. Most of the respondents have more than 2 kids (93.3%), only 6.7% have about 10 kids. Commonly submitted drugs/substances are: cigarette, cannabis, alcohol, inhalants, tranquilizers, opiates, and hallucinogens. Therein, reasons for substance abuse were: social/ peer pressure, rebellion, overwork/learning, shyness, fear, parental influence, fun and lack of role model. It also revealed that ISY st arted drug use earlier than the OSY. Friends, drug pushers, curiosity introduced youth to drugs. There are several effects of substance abuse on the individual, friends, and Community. At individual level there are: bad temper, disturbed sleep, ill-health, depression, anxiety, tiredness, disrespect, failure at workplace/school. At family level the effects include: disgrace, breakdown of relationship, loss of confidence in child, and ill-health. At friend’s level, the effects include: breakdown of relationship, fear, anxiety. And at community or society levels, the effects listed were: crime, reduced productivity, violence, ill-health, high cost of treatment, accidents. To protect youth from substance abuse, the following measures were submitted by the respondents: parents should not expose children to drugs, parents should give them confidence and proper knowledge to make decisions, peer group educators should work, and there should be national campaign against drugs. Key informants (KIs) submitted similar assertions like the youth respondents. During observation of sell outlets, mostly, youth (18-25 years) patronize the sell outlets in Sokoto. The inhabitants exhibits calmness and peace during their transactions and it mostly occur in the night and it become peak during rainy seasons. Diverse efforts and interventions are required to prevent substance abuse in youth.