Effects of Substance Abuse Consumption and Socio-Economic Development in Kontagora Local Government Area, Niger State

Abstract

Substance abuse and its effects on socio economic development, a study of Kontagora Local Government area of Niger State is the topic of the study. The study rise some questions on some of the effects of substance abuse on socio economic development, how do the abusers access the substance both local and industrialized substance, why do people engaged in substance abuse, what are the challenges face by law enforcement agents in tackling the menace of substance abuse in Kontagora local government area of Niger state. The study aimed at finding out whether or not substance abuse has effects on socio economic development in Kontagora. The study examine and investigates ways, methods and manners on how do people abuse local and industrialized substance. The study adopted Merton’s Structural Strain Theory as the study theoretical framework, and the method used in data collections was documentary. The following are some findings of the study, substance abusers do not face much challenges in accessing the substance of both local and industrialized substance as far as they have the means (Money) to buy the substance, furthermore, the study revealed that some of the factors that contributes to the escalation rate of the substance abusers are broken home, peer group influence, unemployment, nurture, and inadequate parental care, etc. Finally, the study recommends Establishment of Counseling Centers for Substance Control, Designing Curriculum on Substance education in our schools, Establishment of Substance Awareness Units in all our political wards across the country, and frequent Campaign against Substance abuse by law enforcement agencies.