Author(s) :

ABUEME Emeka Samuel.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Drug abuse has become an escalating concern in Nigeria, particularly due to its farreaching impact on national security. This study focuses on Delta State, one of Nigeria's states grappling with increasing rates of drug abuse and related security issues. By examining drug abuse trends from 2015 to 2023, the research highlights how the rise in drug use, particularly among the young population, correlates with the state's growing crime rates, including murder, rape, armed robbery, and cult clashes. The study also delves into the effectiveness of existing drug control policies, exploring the efforts made by government agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with state authorities, to address the problem. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, the research analyzes the structural factors contributing to the persistence of drug abuse, such as poverty, unemployment, and peer pressure, and assesses their implications on national security. Theoretical framework, as structural functionalism is employed to explore the broader societal impact of these issues. The findings emphasize the need for stronger political will, improved rehabilitation efforts, international drug policy implementation, and enhanced community involvement to curb drug abuse and restore security. The study provides recommendations, incorporating the Commission on Narcotics Drugs (CND) Demand and Supply Reduction Policy for policymakers on how to implement more effective strategies to combat the menace, with the hope of reducing the societal and security-related challenges posed by drug abuse in Delta State and Nigeria as a whole. Keywords: Drug abuse, national security, Delta State, NDLEA, young population, crime.

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