Drug Abuse among “Okada” Riders Business Youths in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated drug abuse among okada, riders business youths in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state. Six specific objectives and four hypotheses guided the study. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study consisted of all okada riders’ business youths in Katsina-Ala LGA. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select 214 respondents. The instrument for data collection was researchers designed titles Drug Use Questionnaire (DUQ). Results of the study indicated that drugs commonly abused were: alcohol (84%), marijuana (64%), tramadol (56%), codeine (42%) and inhalant (34%). The reasons for drug abuse were: to feel strong and feel good (66%), relieve stress (60%), take away fear (56%) and due to peer influence (26%). There were no significant differences in drugs commonly abused based on: Age (X2 cal. value = 0.17 < X2 crit. value = 9.49); Location (X2 cal. value = 0.13 < X2 crit. value = 9.49). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in reasons for drug abuse based on: Age (X2 cal. value = 0.015 < X2 crit. value = 9.49); Location (X2 cal. value = 0.14 < X2 crit. value = 9.49). The study concludes that alcohol, marijuana, tramadol, codeine, and inhalants were commonly abused for various reasons such as to relieve stress, feel strong, feel good and take away fear among okada riders’ business youths in Katsina-Ala LGA. The researchers recommended among others that NDLEA should collaborate with the Local Government Authority to investigate and destroy marijuana farms in different locations in the LGA if any is found.