Published Article

Abstract This study was carried out to examine the effects of drug abuse on the youths of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. Two specific objectives were formulated to guide the study. The researcher adopted a descriptive survey design for the study as it created a platform for the researcher to make full description of the causes, effects and extent of the effects caused by the variables. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered randomly to a cross section of respondents. The research also employed chi-square in the analysis and testing of the hypothesis. The research revealed that there is a high level of drug abuse among youths in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. It is evident in the researcher’s observation that youths are the most vulnerable and deeply involved group in the social menace of drug abuse. This abuse comes with its attendant effect of physical assault, physical attack, mental depreciation, crime and deaths. The study observed that youths in Ikot Abasi L. G. Area were strongly engaged in drug abuse. Furthermore, the study preoved that drug abuse creates devastating effect on the health of the individual social structural institution and human capacities. One of the recommendations was that government should ensure that it establishes drug and alcohol vigilantes to monitor and punish drug traders, drug addicts as this mayhelp ameliorate the situation. KEYWORD: Social Effect, Drug Abuse, Youths, Economic Impact, Drug Abuse, Youths