AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON SOCIOECONOMIC OUTCOMES AMONG YOUTHS IN BENIN METROPOLIS, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
This study examined the effects of drug abuse on selected socioeconomic outcomes among youths in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. It focused specifically on academic performance, crime, and unemployment. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and used a structured five-point Likert questionnaire to collect data from respondents drawn from a study population of 657,500, with a sample size of 400 determined through the Taro Yamane formula and selected through simple random sampling. Of the 400 questionnaires administered, 381 were retrieved. Only 365 were valid for analysis. Spearman's rank correlation was used to test the hypotheses with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The findings revealed significant associations between drug abuse and the three outcomes examined. In particular, drug abuse was significantly associated with poorer academic performance, crime, and unemployment among youths in the study area. The study therefore recommends stronger school-based counselling, sustained public awareness, and youth-focused employment initiatives to reduce the incidence and consequences of drug abuse in Benin Metropolis.
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Youths, Academic Performance, Crime, Unemployment, Benin Metropolis