Illicit Drug Use by Adolescents: A Public Perception of Influencing Factors in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Illicit drug use among adolescents has become a public health concern which cuts across all social strata. This study explored the public perception of factors that influence illicit drug use among adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The study adopted a mixed-method approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methods and was carried out in Owerri metropolis of Imo State, Nigeria. The research instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and in-depth interview guide. The target population comprised adults 18 years and above residing in the area of interest at the time of the study. For the qualitative method, a total of 10 communities were selected randomly by balloting and availability sampling was employed in the selection of respondents. Respondents for the qualitative method were purposively selected.Results: Our quantitative study found that 50.7% of the respondents, from across the three areas in Owerri metropolis, asserted that peer influence, emotional problems, relationship problems, wanting to feel ‘high’ are factors influencing adolescent consumption of illicit drugs whereas the qualitative study found family background, unique experience such as the death of a loved one, affliction or misfortune as factors influencing adolescents’ illicit drug use. The quantitative results showed that persons with a higher level of education are more likely than those with a lower level of education to perceive a significant difference in drug use between in – school and out – of – school adolescents.Conclusions: Peer influence, emotional problems, relationship problems, the influence of media (especially the social media), among several other identified reasons are perceived by the public as factors that influence adolescents’ use of illicit drugs. As a means to curb some of these factors, the communities, schools and universities should formulate contextual policies policies to prevent drug use and should also hold seminars for parents and families to alert them early to the symptoms of drug use in their children.

Curbing Adolescent Illicit Drug use in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria: A Public Perceptive.

“…However, they pointed out that there are likely constraints in enforcing the suggested strategies. They include the following: that adolescents have grown comfortable with drugs as a quick x; they depend on these drugs to distract them from their problems and to feel high (30); there is the issue of peer pressure as adolescents are perceived to be easily in uenced by their peers to try anything. Furthermore, amongst the points listed by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) as ways to assess the level of risk in a community, was the need to assess community awareness of the problem (9).…”