Danger of drug abuse and its effect on young people: A review

Abstract

This paper presents us with a review of the danger of drug abuse and its effects among young people. It was a paper presented to Bori Deanery Youth Council of Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria during its annual knowledge and skill acquisition programme that took place at St. Agnes Catholic Quasi Parish, Barasi Taabaa, from the 4th to the 6th of September, 2025. The paper was presented on the 6th of September, 2025. The age range of young people by the study was 15-35 years which was subject to social-cultural consideration. The presentation disclosed that drug abuse is a global problem which Nigeria is not excepted from. The world’s most abused drug is Indian hemp while the commonly abused drugs according to the study are alcohol, cannabis, Tobacco and Cigarette. The study stated some of the causes of drug abuse among young people to include curiosity, peer pressure availability of drugs in the environment among others. Again, study considered the effects of drug abuse on young people as poor academic performance, poor personal hygiene, stealing and other anti-social behaviours. Furthermore, the paper looked at the signs and symptoms of drug abuse among youth to include feeling to use the drugs regularly, overtime, needing more of the drugs to have the same effect changes in behaviours, stealing among others. In order to prevent drug abuse among young people, the study stated that there should be drug enlightenment campaign among youths, monitoring the activities of young people by their parents and guardians coupled with establishment of accessible drug rehabilitation centres for youths while not leaving out encouraging young people to take part in religious activities.