INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS ON DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNG-ADULT FARMERS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

This study empirically assessed the influence of socio-cultural factors on drug abuse among young adult farmers in South-East Nigeria. Specifically, it identified commonly abused drugs, examined prevalence and socio-cultural determinants of drug use, and assessed its effects on social wellbeing. Data were collected from 360 young adult farmers selected through a multistage sampling technique across Abia, Enugu, and Imo States (120 per state). Primary data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and OLS regression. Findings showed that most of the respondents were male (81.1%), single (81.9%), aged 21–25 years (56.1%), and had secondary education (51.9%). Awareness of drug abuse was high (92.2%), with prevalence highest in Imo State (58.3%) compared with Abia and Enugu (30.8% each). Commonly abused substances included synthetic marijuana (94.2%), tramadol (87.8%), cannabis (85.6%), and methamphetamine (85.8%). Peer influence, unemployment, and easy accessibility were the major drivers of drug abuse (x̄ = 3.19). Drug abuse negatively affected wellbeing through increased crime (x̄ = 3.35), financial difficulties (x̄ = 3.33), mental and health problems, and reduced productivity. Regression results showed that socio-economic variables significantly influenced drug abuse, explaining 49–60% of observed variations, while drug abuse had a significant negative effect on wellbeing, particularly in Imo State (β = -0.7145, p < 0.01). The study concluded that drug abuse among young adult farmers was a major public health and socio-economic challenge driven by peer influence, unemployment, stress, and cheap access to drugs. It recommended strengthened awareness campaigns, youth empowerment programmes, community-based counselling centres, and state-specific rehabilitation interventions to improve farmers’ wellbeing and productivity.

Keywords: Influence, Socio-cultural factors, Drug abuse, Young-Adult farmers