BY
Dr. Stella B. Esuabana
Department of Guidance and Counseling,
University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
stellaesua@yahoo.com
+2347035448948
Dr. Effiom B. Ekeng
Department of Guidance and Counseling,
University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
drbasseyekeng111@gmail.com
+2348038706753
ABSTRACT
Healthy minds translates into a healthy economy, while the proportion of youth population engaging in illicit drug consumption and abuse may be negligible, its ripple effect is far reaching on the economy. This study examined the correlation between joblessness and illicit drug consumption among youths in Calabar-South L.G.A, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a sample population size of 20 respondents (within the age range of I5-35yrs), in a non-experimental relational research design. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with identified illicit drug users in six identified illicit drug hot spots, using a semi structured interview approach. Five illicit drugs found to be commonly abused in the study area included - marijuana, codeine, rohypnol, tramadol, crack and cocaine. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) technique was used to establish a relationship between joblessness and the identified illicit drug consumption. The correlation coefficient (r) of -0.20S, established an inverse relationship of about 20.S% relatedness between the pair, thereby indicating that joblessness is responsible for the increase in illicit drug use and abuse in the study area by 20.S%, vis-a-vis the current surge in social vices such as armed robbery, gangsterism, kidnapping, rape, murder, prostitution, anomie, that is now associated with the area. For computational ease, joblessness was broken down into three categories, based on the number of years the respondent has been jobless (O-5yrs, 5.5- 10yrs and 10.5-15yrs). The General Linear Model (GML) or Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to explore the categorical effect of these three categories of joblessness on the five illicit drugs consumed. The result showed a non-statistically significant effect due to the small sample size. However, data obtained showed that respondents are willing to undergo counseling and treatment provided it will lead to employment and better standards of living. The study therefore calls for concerted efforts from the organized private sector and government to provide employment for the unemployed in the study area.
KEYWORDS: Joblessness, Unemployment, Youths, Illicit Drug Abuse, Counseling
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF JOBLESSNESS ON ILLICIT DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS IN CALABAR SOUTH, CROSS RIVER STATE OF NIGERIA
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