Socio-Demographic Determinants of Drug Abuse Prevalence among Young Adults in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Drug abuse among young adults in Nigeria represents a critical public health crisis, with prevalence rates significantly higher than global averages. This crisis is particularly acute in conflict-affected regions like Adamawa State, where socio-economic dislocation and the legacy of the Boko Haram insurgency have created a high-risk environment. However, a lack of context-specific empirical evidence on the key determinants of drug abuse in this region hinders effective intervention. This study investigated the socio-demographic determinants of drug abuse prevalence among young adults in Adamawa State, Nigeria, with a specific focus on the correlation between drug abuse and four variables: gender, employment status, educational attainment, and peer influence. The study employed a correlational research design. A sample of 400 young adults aged 18-35 was selected from nine Local Government Areas using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire, the Socio-Demographic Determinants and Drug Abuse Scale (SDDDAS), which achieved a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.86. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. The findings revealed statistically significant correlations for all four variables: a low positive correlation with gender (r = 0.214, p=0.031), a moderate negative correlation with employment status (r = -0.412, p=0.004), a weak negative correlation with educational attainment (r = -0.273, p=0.018), and a strong positive correlation with peer influence (r = 0.631, p=0.000). The study concludes that peer influence is the most potent predictor of drug abuse, followed by unemployment, while higher education serves as a protective factor. The study recommends that government agencies and community-based organizations in Adamawa State prioritize peer-led prevention programs, youth employment initiatives, and educational empowerment to effectively combat the scourge of drug abuse among its young adult population.