Substance abuse among female youths: An evaluation of selected Local Governments in Niger State

Abstract

The study investigated substance abuse by females in some selected Local Government Areas of Niger State. It examined the commonly abused substances (locally and industrially processed), the means of accessing the substances as well predisposing factors for female youth substance abuse. Merton’s structural-strain theory and Sutherland’s differential association theory were adopted. The study utilized qualitative method of data collection. A total of 43 participants were interviewed. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the sample from the population. Data collected were analysed thematically and presented in a narrative manner (with verbatim quotations) based on research objectives, sub-merged and interpreted on the basis of sub-themes. The study revealed that pharmaceutical drug substance such as codeine syrups were the most commonly abused substances by the subjects. Equally, local substances like Indian hemp were also abused. Findings revealed that much of the substances abused are accessed from patent medicine shops, friends, itinerants’ street hawkers and other dealers in the study areas. The study identified peer group influence, poor parental control, life frustration, closeness to where substances abused are sold and abused, betrayal from boy friends, poor legal framework, insincerity and corruption on the part of some law enforcement officials as the predisposing factors for female substance abuse. The study recommends that, the problem can be addressed through collective efforts of Government at all levels, civil societies, NGOs, FBOs, parents, other stake holders and guardians as well as other members of the society.