Religious Institutions and Drug Abuse Prevention among Youths in Selected Communities in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract Drug abuse has become one of the most pressing public health and social challenges confronting Nigerian youths, with adverse consequences for physical and mental health, educational attainment, family stability, social cohesion, crime, and national development. Although government agencies, healthcare institutions, and non-governmental organisations have implemented various interventions to address substance abuse, the role of religious institutions in preventing drug abuse among Nigerian youths has not been sufficiently examined. This study therefore investigated the role of religious institutions in preventing drug abuse among Nigerian youths. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised Nigerian youths within the selected study area, from which a sample of 399 respondents was drawn using appropriate sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. The instrument was validated by experts in religious studies and measurement and evaluation, while its reliability was established using Cronbach's alpha, which yielded an overall coefficient of 0.84, indicating satisfactory internal consistency. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations) to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Multiple Linear Regression, and Independent Samples t-tests were employed to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that religious institutions play significant roles in preventing drug abuse through counselling, moral instruction, youth mentorship, preventive education, advocacy, and community outreach programmes. Nigerian youths generally perceived religious institutions as credible and effective partners in addressing substance abuse. The study further established that inadequate funding, shortage of trained personnel, poor rehabilitation infrastructure, and limited collaboration with relevant stakeholders significantly hinder the effectiveness of faith-based interventions. Spiritual guidance from religious leaders was found to significantly influence youths' decisions to avoid or quit drug abuse, while faith-based rehabilitation services significantly promoted recovery, reduced relapse, and enhanced social reintegration. Furthermore, a statistically significant gender difference was observed, with female youths demonstrating greater responsiveness to faith-based prevention strategies than male youths. The study concluded that religious institutions are strategic partners in the prevention of drug abuse among Nigerian youths and that their contributions can be enhanced through gender-responsive intervention strategies. The study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of faith-based approaches to substance abuse prevention and recommends that government formally integrate qualified religious institutions into national policies for reducing drug demand while strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers, educational institutions, and civil society organisations to promote sustainable youth development and reduce substance abuse in Nigeria.