ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNMENT’S DRUG ABUSE CONTROL POLICIES IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
This study identified the various drugs mostly abused in Osun State, examined the socio-economic effect of drug consumption in the study area, and also identified the control strategies adopted to curtail drug consumption in Osun State. These were with a view to providing information on the effect and consequences of drug abuse in the study area. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study utilised Primary data. Primary data were collected through questionnaire administration. The study population of 1038 comprised of members of NDLEA (31), Police (73), Timber Cutter (64), NURTW (135), Artisans (735). Taro Yamane sample formula as used to derive a sample size of (288) respondents, and purposive sampling was used to select respondents. The choice of these respondents were targeted because of their exposure in working and knowledge on drug abuse. Also, interviews were conducted to elicit information from the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Chairmen of National Union of Road Transport Workers in Ife Central and Ife North Local Government Areas (LGAs) (2), Divisional Police Officers in the two Local Government Areas (2), Commanders of the Amotekun Corp in the two Local Government Areas (2), and Leaders of the National Youth Council (2) totalling 9 interviewees. Also, data were obtained from NDLEA publications to elicit necessary information needed for the study. Data collected were analysed using mean, frequency, percentage and descriptive statistics. The result showed that Alcohol-whiskey, ogogoro, gin (92%), Cannabis (Hemp) i.e. pawpaw leaf, monkey tail, etc. (84%), Narcotics - codeine, morphine, cough syrups (63.5%), Psychotropic substance such as Tramadol, and Pentamizine (60.4%), Stimulant – Kolanut, Coffee, Colorando, Nescafe (59.4%) were drugs mostly abused while Lysergic acid, LSD, Phencidine PCP (43.4%), Sedative – valium capsule, lexotan, Ativan (42%) were drugs with less consumption in Ife Central and Ife North Local Government Areas of Osun State. The result showed that social unrest (X̄ = 3.94), unemployment (X̄ = 3.90), juvenile delinquency (X̄ = 3.15), poor health (X̄ = 3.07), and traffic accidents (X̄ = 2.94) school failure (X̄ = 2.96), higher rate of violence (X̄ = 2.97), were the socio-economic effect of drug consumption. The strategies adopted to curtail drug consumption and abuse in Ife Central and Ife North Local Government Areas of Osun State, include; Federal and local police actions directed at street-level retail dealing and use, access and support drug retailers in reducing access to drug, War against Drug Abuse (WADA) by NDLEA. The study concluded that drug abuse has detrimental effect on the abusers, and consequences on those who engage in drug abuse and those living with and around them.
Drug abuse; NDLEA; Osun State.