SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION AMONG YOUTHS IN YENEGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic effects of drug abuse and addiction among youths in Yenegoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. A psychological theory of crimes was used for the analysis of the study. One hundred and ten (110) respondents participated in the study as respondents. The researchers made use of questionnaire as the instrument to obtain data from the respondents in a non-probabilistic (accidental) sample method at selected 'joints' (beer parlour) within Yenagoa City. Hypothesis was postulated and tested at alpha 0.05 level of significance in order to determine whether drug abuse and addiction promotes violent crimes in the society. The findings revealed that drug abuse and addiction promoted violent crimes ranging from domestic violence and robbery. Based on the positive result of the findings, recommendations were made on how to minimize drug abuse and addiction. Moral trainings for the youths at all levels, appropriate sanctioning for the offenders as well as establishing guidance and counseling units across board for the youths were suggested. In addition, effective and robust rehabilitation programmes should be provided for the drug addicts and other drug offenders.