MORAL IMPLICATION OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS

ABSTRACT

Massive indulgence in drug abuse among the Nigerian youths have left the country in a chaotic state with these abusers perpetuating several social vices. Measures like those by NDLEA, SON, NAFDAC have been put in place to curb the menace of drug abuse it continues. Youth believe they are free to abuse drugs, but this shows lack of proper information and enlightenment about the delicate nature of human freedom and its concomitant responsibility as moral agents whose actions are relational. Consequently, this project highlights some moral implications of drug abuse by Nigerian youths, suggests some consequences of their actions both for their lives as individuals and the society at large. One such consequence involves young people’s social and mental behavior arising from the effect of drug abuse and addiction to which they are vulnerable. The vulnerability question raises ethical concerns relating to the socio-cultural structure of the Nigerian society which in a sense may be seen as enabler of youth drug addiction. The project recommends that public sensitization should be carried out periodically on the dangers of drug abuse, that the regulatory bodies be strengthened to carry out their functions effectively to reduce this trend, and that Nigeria’s socio-structure prioritizes youth well-being in order to mitigate tendencies to drug abuse and addiction.