Implications of Drug Abuse and Development Challenges in the Niger Delta Sub-Region

Nwaka; Caroline Ifeyinwa; Emmanuel Chinedu MacAlex-Achinulo; Ph.D

doi:10.56201/jpslr.vol.12.no1.2026.pg110.117

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Implications of Drug Abuse and Development Challenges in the Niger Delta Sub-Region

Nwaka, Caroline Ifeyinwa, Emmanuel Chinedu MacAlex-Achinulo, Ph.D

Abstract

The article investigated the implications of drug abuse and development challenges within the Niger Delta Sub-Region. The problem that motivated this study is that for several decades there have been national and international concerns on the abuse of licit and illicit drugs, trafficking of some substances of abuse across international borders and the physical, intellectual and moral consequences of the drug albatross on people, especially the youths in the Niger Delta sub-region. The study adopted the frustration-aggression theory and the theory suggests that individuals become aggressive when there are obstacles (perceived or real) to their success in life. The study employed a survey research design, primary and secondary sources of data collection were used. 400 respondents were chosen through the Taro Yamani formula with a sample size of 370 respondents. The study revealed that in the Niger Delta, one out of seven persons aged 15-64 years had used a drug (other than tobacco and alcohol) in the period of study. The study therefore concludes that Drug abuse could cause devastating psychosocial and health problems for the society, as it poses serious health and safety risks to individuals; including mental health disorder, emotional instability, reckless behaviour, and loss of self- control. Thus, the study recommended an intensive, massive and strategic campaign against the use of illicit substances across the 9 states of the Niger Delta should be embarked upon immediately to save the youths and the sub-region from the pervasive effects of drug abuse. Key words: Implications, drug abuse, development, Niger Delta Sub-Region

Keywords

Implicationsdrug abusedevelopmentNiger Delta Sub-Region

References

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Implications of Drug Abuse and Development Challenges in the Niger Delta Sub-Region

Abstract

Keywords

References

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