EFFECT OF NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (NDLEA) STRATEGIES ON REDUCTION OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS IN FAGGE AND KURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KANO STATE
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Drug abuse constitute a major threat to the effective functioning of human societies. It is a
major public health problem as its abuse by youths have become one of the most disturbing
health related phenomena in Nigeria and other parts of the world. The growing spate of sale
and illicit drug use led to the establishment of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) in 1989 to curb these menace. NDLEA‟s Drug Demand Reduction Unit (DDRU) is
responsible for activities ranging from advocacy on drug abuse, NGO Liaison on drug abuse
related activities and Treatment/Rehabilitation of drug dependents amongst others. DDRU of
NDLEA has only one Treatment/Rehabilitation center in Kano state with no provision for girl
and women despite the proliferation of drug abuse among them. This study focused on the
extent to which Public enlightenment, NGO Liaison and Treatment/Rehabilitation strategies of
NDLEA influenced reduction in the incidence of drug abuse among youths in Fagge and Kura
Local Government Areas of Kano State. The study‟s hypotheses which were stated in null form
to indicate that there is no significant relationship between NDLEA strategies and reduction in
incidence of drug abuse among youths in the study area. The study adopted a cross sectional
survey research design with the population comprising of officials of DDRU and youths in the
study area which was 182,977. The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan
Statistical Formula (1970) and these stood at 382. The method of sampling technique adopted
was the cluster sampling technique and questionnaire, interview were instruments used in
generating primary data while annual report of NDLEA, published work, magazines and the
internet were the instruments used to generate secondary data. The data were presented and
analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tool of correlation analysis. Evaluation
theory by Edward Suchman, (1967) was adopted for the study and it was generally revealed
that there is a positive but ineffective relationship between NDLEA strategies and reduction in
incidence of drug abuse among youths in Fagge and Kura local government areas of Kano
state. It was therefore recommended that intensified efforts be made by NDLEA, the
government both at the Federal and state level and other stakeholders to create awareness on
the dangers associated with drug abuse focusing on primary and secondary prevention
strategies with a view to stopping new cases, more resources be committed to enable the
agency expand it capacity to build more treatment centre and provision be made to
accommodate girls and women especially as there is high proliferation of drug abuse among
them.