Causes and Consequences of Drug Abuse Among Commercial Motor Drivers: A Sociological Inquiry in Bauchi State of Nigeria

Abstract

Drug impaired a very serious health hazard on our roads today. This study looks at the knowledge, prevalence, types and pattern of drug abuse among commercial drivers. There is a fair knowledge of drug abuse among commercial drivers in Bauchi, However the prevalence of psychoactive substance use is unacceptably high among the commercial drivers. Majority of the drivers studied were Hausas by tribe, Muslims and with low education level. Across- sectional descriptive study was carried out. A total of 210 respondents were selected at random from clusters (motor parks) of commercial drivers by employing structured questionnaire. A bivariate analysis was done using chi-square test to evaluate relationship between socio- demographic variables and substance use with statistical significance taken at p<0.05. Key words Drug abuse (psychoactive substance use), commercial drivers, Bauchi metropolis. The mean age of the drivers is 33 is not equal to 9.385years. All of them were males, majority 74.8% were Hausas, 94.3% were Muslims, and more than half of them have no formal education. 92.2% knows about drug abuse. There is no significant relationship between substance and socio-demographic characteristic. Common reason for taking drugs include working for long hours, to keep awake and to cope with stress. Religion and side effect are the major deterrent of drug abuse. The important sources of acquisition of drugs are markets and hideouts. There is a high prevalence of drug abuse in spite of the knowledge of drug abuse among commercial drivers. This calls for massive campaign against drug abuse especially among commercial drivers, religious body, Traditional leaders have a vital role to play in this regard.

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