PREVALENCE AND PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS IN OWERRI-EBIRI COMMUNITY ORLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMO STATE

Anthonia Chinwendu Emesowum, Festa Chinonye Onyekwuo, Clementina Ezenwuba, Oliva Nwagbo, Nkeiruka Okoroafor, Nancy Obi and Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu*

ABSTRACT

Drug abuse among youths remains a growing concern in many Nigerian communities, with implications for individual health, social stability, and public safety. This study investigated the prevalence and perceived effects of drug abuse among youths in Owerri-Ebiri, a community in Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires administered to youths in the community. Data on demographics, drug use patterns, and perceived community impacts were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Table 1 revealed that the most prevalent age group among respondents was 20–25 years (33%), followed by 31–35 years (23.6%) and 26–30 years (20%). Few respondents were over 35 years (17.1%) or under 20 years (5.5%). A majority (77.1%) were single, and most (67.6%) had attained tertiary education. Unemployment (32.4%) and student status (29.8%) were the most common occupational categories. Figure 3 showed a high prevalence of drug abuse, with 68% admitting to using drugs not prescribed by a physician. Table 2 revealed that 41.4% of drug users consumed substances occasionally, 25.8% monthly, and 14% daily. Table 3 identified alcohol (36.4%) and marijuana (21.1%) as the most commonly abused substances, while methamphetamine (4.4%) and cocaine (3.6%) were least reported. Table 4 showed that drug abuse was perceived to cause significant health problems such as mental illness (40.7%), increased crime (16%), and family conflicts (15.6%), alongside academic decline, social withdrawal, and poverty. The study demonstrates a high prevalence of drug abuse among youths in Owerri-Ebiri, with serious health and social consequences. Targeted interventions such as community education, youth empowerment programs, and stricter control of substance availability are urgently needed to curb this growing menace.

Keywords: Drug abuse, youth, prevalence, Owerri-Ebiri, substance use, community impact.