Abstract

The case of drug abuse by young Hausa in Northern Nigeria has become a major public health and a socio-economic emergency. This paper explores various reasons attributed to the rise of the drug abuse socio-economic, cultural and structural factors such as poverty, lack of jobs, rural-urban migration, peer pressure and erosion of traditional and religious sanctions. Based on Social Learning, Strain and Peer Influence thought, the research examines the points of convergence between these concepts to increase the vulnerability of the young people. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions methods were adopted to collect data. The impacts of substance abuse are discussed, which demonstrate degradation of health condition, mental issues, distortion of receiving an education, rise in crime, and disintegration of families. The research also addresses the issue of strategic interventions, talking about the necessity to reform the policy, to engaging communities as a prevention strategy, to preventing through schools, empowering youth, and advocating through a media strategy. Some of the recommendations are to make the drug control laws stringent, open rehab centres, and involve the religious and community leaders in grassroots preventive activities. The research results indicate that cultural and multi-sectoral response plays a crucial role in reducing abuse to drug use among the Hausa youth and the development of community resilience.