Drug Abuse and Crime – The Challenges to Nation Building

Abstract

Purpose: Drug abuse and crime are very strongly linked and connected, one may precede the other. The close connect between drug use and criminal behaviour is supported by many studies. Drug use or abuse and crimes are prevalent among the youths, who are the age range most needed for productive work and nation building or development. Drugs decrease cognitive operations, making it difficult, and at times impossible for the young person to develop a functional set of values and ideals. Consequently drug and crimes pose very great and grave challenges to nation building and development of the society. Methodology: Several books, journals, internet materials and case laws reviewed have analyzed drug use/abuse by the youths, stated the consequences and decried it. Findings: Unfortunately, this has not received adequate, sufficient or and commensurate attention the world over, worse still in developing countries of the world as Nigeria. It has negatively affected the behavior and conduct of users particularly the younger generation and consequently a clog to nation building. Recommendations: It is recommended that drug abuse and crimes can be drastically reduced or completely eradicated by good training and nurturing of the child by political and social institutions; putting in place adequate legal framework with effective enforcement mechanism; proper education of the public. By Comity of nations giving adequate attention to curbing the use of drugs, drug abuse and drug addiction.