YOUTH, POLITICS AND DRUG ABUSE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The issue of drug abuse has become a major disturbing issue that has become prevalent in the Nigerian state; and this has been predominately perpetuated by the youths in the country. But one disturbing fact this study will be examining is the nexus between politics and drug abuse in the country. The use of banned drug substance by the political class may have been the major attraction driving today’s youths in Nigeria into engaging in this unfortunate and dangerous practice of getting involved in drug abuse. While some studies have averred that some politicians initiate willing youths into drug abuse in order to make them available instruments of thuggery for elections and other related illegal purposes. Some other scholars are of the view that politics appears to have become part and parcel behind the scene political activities that acts as melting point among politicians, their foot soldier and their illicit and dangerous activities in the country. The study therefore recommends that laws against drug abuse must not be made to deter the youths, but also the elites and political class who have become motivators and chief influencers of youths that engage in this dangerous and unfortunate practice