PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE AMONG NIGERIAN YOUNG PEOPLE: ADVOCACY FOR DECRIMINALIZATION POLICY
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Date
2024
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Journal of Behvaioural Studies
Abstract
The prevalence of drug use among young people is on the increase in recent years despite the myriad cross-cutting tasks and preventive measures taken to stem this tide. Psychoactive Substance Dependence (PSD) suggests a helplessness in the user to stop the consumption of the drug despite its potential harm. Studies on PSD among Nigerian students is scarce hence the attempt of this study to bridge this gap. About 332 male and female students responded to the Substance Dependence Scale (SDS) and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Reported prevalence of psychoactive substances use are 16.9% (alcohol), 7.2% (sedatives), 7.2% (hallucinogens), 3.0% (inhalants), 3.0% (amphetamines), 2.4% (cocaine), 2.0% (cannabis), 2.0% (opioid) and 1.2% (tobacco). The nature of PSD showed that 5.6% are not in control of their psychoactive substance use, 27.2% are anxious on missing doses, 9.4% are worried about their substance use. 22.8% wish they could stop the use of illicit drugs, while 5.0% find it difficult to abstain from drugs. In all, 21.7% and 7.2% of participants reported mild, moderate, and severe PSD, respectively. Significant gender influence was observed on PSD, with males reporting a higher mean score than female students. No significant mean score difference was found in PSD of secondary and tertiary education students. Judging
that a considerable number of illicit drugs users are “hooked” to drugs and indirectly crying for
help, this study advocates a drug decriminalization policy that treats as victims rather than
criminalize users caught in possession illicit drugs particularly within Nigerian school premises