Drug Use and Abuse Prevention Concerns in Rural Communities in Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

Drug abuse among any population is harmful and constitutes an issue of great concern for health professionals and the entire community. This study focuses on identification of level of drug use and community concerns for preventing drug abuse in two rural communities in Enugu north senatorial zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. We conducted a community-based cross sectional study in Enugu North senatorial zone of Enugu state Nigeria. All adults and youths 10 years and above who were residing in the communities for the past two years were the study population. Simple random sampling by balloting was used to select two communities. Proportionate random sampling was used to select 290 participants comprising 147 males and 133 females for the study. Questionnaire was used to collected data. The data were analyzed by using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science version 20. Descriptive statistics, chi square, Fisher's exact test and the Monte Carlo test were computed for the data. The most commonly used substances by community members were alcohol, cigarette and cannabis. Greater proportion of community members (57%) frown at abuse of substances. Majority of community members (87%) wished that drug abuse will stop in the community, 3.6% do not wish that it will stop and 9.4% do not care whether it stopped or not. The study has revealed areas of community concern and lack of concern for preventing drug abuse. These are hoped to guide drug abuse prevention intervention in the area of study.

Drug abuse: A Hindrance to Optimal Functioning of the Rural Learner’s Cognitive Capabilities

“…Their marginalisation has an impact on the kind of human resources they have access to or can use for support (Moody et al, 2017). For them to solve problems that concern them, expert knowledge is also essential for networking or organisational purposes (Ayodele et al, 2019;Dibia et al, 2020). Studies by Ehlers et al (2020), Eze et al (2017), Nwagu (2017), andOkafor (2019) demonstrate that when people living in rural areas are ignored, they are less likely to have access to basic amenities in important capital.…”

“…In addition, their attitude is "socially constructed" in that they respond to events as they happen by acting, thinking, and behaving like "laypersons." For them, "rurality" is a perpetual state that prevents them from ever achieving anything (Dibia et al, 2020). It is necessary to do a study on the consequences of drug and substance misuse by vulnerable rural learners since studies have shown that altering this attitude and perception involves programming skills and talents (Nwagu et al, 2020;Olawole-Isaac et al, 2018).…”

Risk Factors Associated with Substance Abuse among Adolescents

“…Most cultures permit the use of some psychoactive substances, especially alcohol, which explains why alcohol is the most prevalent among other substances [22]. In some societies like Nigeria, the intake of alcoholic drink is socially accepted and are served freely in social and cultural events [41], people take alcohol as a form of relaxation at parties, clubs, and in their homes including cigarettes [38]. Also, celebrities are paid wholesomely to advertise alcoholic drinks and tobacco, and some of them are role models to these adolescents.…”

“…A society that sees the consumption of psychoactive substances as a normal way of life will encourage the younger generation to indulge in such risky behavior. However, a community that frowns at the use of substances serves as a protective factor against involvement with substance use by adolescents [41].…”

Community Readiness for Drug Abuse Prevention in Two Rural Communities in Enugu State, Nigeria

“…The use of sedatives, heroin, cocaine and the non-medical use of prescription opioids were also noted ( United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC], 2018 ). The abuse of prescription drugs, such as Tramadol, and household products, such as paints and superglue, are becoming rampant in some rural communities in Nigeria ( Dibia et al., 2020 ).…”