Pattern and Socio-demographic characteristics of Drug Users at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Rehabilitation Facility, Port Harcourt

Background: Substance abuse particularly among young people has become a large phenomenon globally affecting all segments of society. The abuse of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other psychoactive drugs among young people has become an issue of public health concern with untold negative consequences on human existence. Aim: This study sought to examine the sociodemographic profiles and patterns of drug use among drug users at the NDLEA Rehabilitation Facility, Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among inmates of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Port Harcourt. A structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics and other factors were self-administered to inmates of the facility, who have been brought by their relative for addiction care over a period of 3 years (2017 to 2020). Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and approval was obtained from the NDLEA Authority. All other ethical provisions were followed. Descriptive statistics was used to analyzed the data. Data were analyzed with number count, percentage, and then Chi-square of independence. Results: Majority of the drug users were male (98,8%), single (72.5%), unemployed (27.5%) and apprentice (40.0%), between the ages of 15 and 35 (67.5%) and with tertiary education. Cannabis was the most consumed drug (75.7%), followed by nicotine (30.8%) alcohol (28.3%), cocaine (27.4%) and heroine (25.8%). Majority of the users were introduced to drug by friends and family members and referred to the feeling they got on the first day of use as high and happy. Majority had 15 to 25 years as age of onset of drug use and there were no family history of psychoactive substance use or mental illness. Conclusion: Substance use is common among young people between the ages of 26 and 30, single, with higher level of education and low-income earners. Majority use illicit drugs, which they started at early age of 15 to 25 and introduced to by friends and family members. Improvement in socio-economic status of adolescents and sustained public health enlightenment will help to reduce the rising prevalence of drug use.