Emerging Trends, Sociocultural and Economic Drivers, and Public Health impact of Substance use among Youths in Awka, Nigeria

This study explored the patterns, drivers, and consequences of substance use among Nigerian youths in Awka, Anambra State. It identified emerging trends in drug use, including the misuse of pharmaceutical substances e.g., tramadol, codeine, locally made concoctions, and polydrug combinations.

The research examined how sociocultural factors such as peer influence, family dynamics, and cultural disintegration alongside economic challenges like unemployment and poverty, contribute to youth substance abuse. The study was anchored in Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977) to explain the social dynamics influencing drug-seeking behaviour. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, was adopted with a total population of 405 respondents selected through a multistage sampling technique across six communities in Awka: Awka-Etiti, Umuokpu, Isiagu, Amikwo, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, and Uruagu.

Respondents were stratified by age and gender, and data were gathered through structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Findings revealed a growing and complex pattern of substance use driven by peer pressure, parental neglect, cultural change, and economic hardship. Digital platforms were also found to play a significant role in promoting and facilitating access to drugs, creating new intervention challenges. Consequences included mental health issues, poor academic performance, and increased involvement in crime and violence.

The study identified major gaps in Nigeria’s substance abuse response system, including insufficient rehabilitation services, high treatment costs, and weak policy coordination. It recommends a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy involving community-based prevention, digital media regulation, youth empowerment, and strengthened health and social support systems to curb the rising trend of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.