Drug Abuse Situation in Wammako Local Government Area of Sokoto State

ABSRACT The study was initiated to assess Drug Abuse situation among people in Wammako LGA in Sokoto State. Specific objectives of the study were to: Identify the socio-demographic characteristics of those involved in drug abuse in the study area, to examine the factors responsible for drug abuse in the study area, to identify the types of drugs abused in the study area, and lastly to proffer solutions toward curbing the menace of drug abuse in the study area. The multi stage cluster sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed to the respondent. Findings revealed that accessibility to drugs is a contributing factor to drug abuse in the study area. Findings also revealed that peer pressure influences contribute to the increase number of drug abuse in the study area. The findings also revealed the types of drugs abuse in the study area is marijuana or Indian hemp, cough syrup and cigarette/tobacco and Tramadol tablet. Thus, from the findings certain recommendation are made toward curbing the menace of drug abuse in the study area; these are enactment of laws that provide serious punishment for drug traffickers as well as drug abusers, anti-drug campaign should be included in school’s educational curriculum and adequate funding and provision of necessary facilities for anti-drug agencies and government should plan for a viable, holistic and realistic framework for addressing unemployment and joblessness, because an idle mind is a devil workshop.