Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Govt. Nasarawa State - Nigeria

 This article is published by the Zamfara International Journal of Humanities.

Odor Ogechi *¹ Mamman Mathew Samuel^{*2
1 2} Department of Sociology,
^{1 2} Nasarawa State University Keffi - Nigeria
1   odorprecious@gmail.com

2   matthewsamuel@nsuk.edu.ng

Abstract: Within the contemporary efforts to prevent and control drug dependence, treatment and rehabilitation play an important role. This study examines the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A social survey design was adopted. A sample of 103 drug addicts was drawn, using the census. Primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. The primary data were generated through the use of questionnaires and in-depth interview (IDI). The questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using tables, frequency, and percentage, and data generated through an in-depth interview (IDI) were analyzed to complement and support the quantitative analysis using content analysis and verbal narration. The results show that drug therapy is the most important and available type of treatment in the centre, even though there are forms of treatment and the government has not played a significant role in eradicating the menace of drug addiction in Nigeria through policies and actions. It is based on this that the study recommends that Public education should be targeted at the vulnerable segment of society, such as the adolescents and young adults on the danger of drug addiction in the society and there is a need for a comprehensive social rehabilitation approach that will involve the integration of the faith-based, social welfare and psychiatric approach in one process..

 

Keywords: Treatment, Rehabilitation, Drug, Drug Addicts, Musabil

 Introduction

_W ithin the contemporary efforts to prevent and control drug dependence, treatment and rehabilitation play an important   role.   By   this   procedure,   the   adverse consequences suffered by both an individual and the society, are eased and have a preventive effect reducing the prevalence of drug abuse in the community and society at large.

Treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts is the process of providing one or more planned and structured interventions to persons that are addicted to psychoactive substances, improving their physical, mental and social functioning (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2003). It involves a broad range of services, including assessments; diagnosis of substances use disorders and related problems; treatment planning; pharmacotherapy, counseling and behavioral therapy; medical, psychiatric, psychological, social, legal, and other support services; aftercare plans and follow-up for persons with substance abuse problems (UNODC, 2003; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009). The nature of these services varies in different environments and circumstances as they are adapted to suit the background and needs of the beneficiaries (UNODC, 2003; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009).

Substance abuse treatment, though not new, is still an evolving challenge of healthcare in Nigeria. Before the establishment of stand-alone substance abuse treatment centres in Nigeria, most substance abuse treatment activities took place in the psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units of government health institutions (United Nations International Drug Program, 1998). However, with the growing public interest in the problem, stand-alone substance abuse treatment centres began to spring up in the 1980s. The first stand-alone substance abuse treatment centre was established in 1983 in a neuropsychiatric hospital in the southwest region of Nigeria (Onifade, 2010) and since then other organizations such as non-governmental organizations and private institutions have embraced the rehabilitation and treatment of drug addicts.

Drug abuse and addiction is a prevalent, universal, and complex phenomenon, which imposes heavy costs on the individual, family (Ray, Mertens & Weisner, 2009), and the government (Cohen, Ashley, Ferrence, Brewster &, Goldstein, 1999). According to reports of the United Nations (UN), drug abuse has been responsible for the death of about 5 million people in the world annually (Mathers, Fat & Boerma, 2008). Nigeria is also confronting addiction and drug abuse problems like other countries in the era of globalization.

The recent nationwide survey on psychoactive drug use patterns in Nigeria indicates an overall rate in the country (14.4%) that exceeded the global average as of 2016 of 5.6%. While opiates were commonly used and abused in the northern parts of the country, cannabis was more commonly abused in the southern region. The survey also reported that one in four drug users were female, while there was a high proportion of polydrug use (95%) among those classed as 'high-risk' drug users. One in five 'high-risk' drug users were also injecting drugs (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2018). High-risk drug users in the survey were classed as those 'who had used opioids, crack/cocaine, or amphetamines in the past 12 months, and had used those drugs on at least 5 occasions in the past 30 days. In the 'south-south geopolitical zone, rates of drug use came second only to the southwest. Cannabis, pharmaceutical opioids, and cough syrups containing codeine were the psychoactive substances commonly used or abused. Notably, in the past year, cannabis use was higher in this zone compared to the national average (UNODC, 2018).

 

As the growing need for the correction of the already affected individuals became apparent, the United Nations Drug Control Programme in Nigeria provided three psychiatric-based and one exclusive drug addict’s rehabilitation centre in the country. This move was actually in complement to drug addicts' treatment and rehabilitation that was an exclusive function of the already established psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Health (Odejide, 1998). Initially, committing a drug-dependent relative to a mental or psychiatric institution was the standard response of families, but as time went on the need to look out for other treatment and socializing avenues became important. Today, non-governmental organizations (Action Health Incorporated, African Council on Narcotics, Drug Abuse Challenge Team and Drug Free Association of Nigeria), including the religious and secular ones are fully involved in the process of rehabilitating addicts (Odejide, 1998; Partnership for Drug-Free Nigeria, 1999). The involvement of the community in rehabilitating drug addicts and the seemingly high patronage by clients may not be unconnected with the relatively high cost of maintaining clients in the psychiatric hospitals and with the fact that non-governmental organizations charge little or nothing in addicts’ rehabilitation.

 

Despite all these programmes and measures embarked upon by the government, non-government agencies, and the community to correct and socialize drug addicts in the population, not much has been achieved. There are authentic indications that the use of illicit drugs and the attendant serious damage to the social fabric of the country are on the increase hence the need to examine the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Review of Relevant Literature

Drug Addiction

 

Drug addiction also called substance dependence or chemical dependency is a malady that is characterized by a destructive pattern of drug abuse that leads to significant problems involving tolerance, to or withdrawal from the substance (Eric, 2014). A drug addict is said to be someone whose life has become dependent on drugs, hence a drug addict (Obaje 2009). Drug addiction is dependence on a legal or illegal drug or medication, drug addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences, including problems with physical and mental health. Addictions go beyond substance use. There are so-called non-toxic addictions that involve dependency behaviour with an evident syndrome of psychological withdrawal. There is, for example, addiction to gambling or pathological gambling and others such as technological addictions (internet, mobile, and video games), addiction to shopping, exercise, or sex (Makanjuola, Abiodun, & Sajo, 2014).

 

Adeleke (2008) affirmed that addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use and that each drug produces different physical effects. He continued that all abused substances share one thing in common and that repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions. In this context, the paper sees drug addiction as a multifaceted ailment characterized by habitual drug use and that each drug produces diverse physical effects without medical advice.

 

Treatment

 

Treatment is the provision of one or more structured interventions designed to manage health and other problems as a consequence of drug abuse and to improve or maximize personal and social functioning. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, the term “treatment” refers to “the process that begins when psychoactive substance abusers come into contact with a health provider or any other community service, and may continue through a succession of specific interventions until the highest attainable level of health and well-being is reached (WHO, 2014). Treatment services and opportunities can include detoxification, substitution/maintenance therapy, and/or psychosocial therapies and counseling. Additionally, treatment aims at reducing the dependence on psychoactive substances, as well as reducing the negative health and social consequences caused by, or associated with, the use of such substances (Ekpenyond & Aakpege, 2014).

 

Rehabilitation

 

The concept of rehabilitation has been defined by various scholars. Awopetu (2011) posits that rehabilitation with specific reference to prison rehabilitation means “bringing the offender to normal life”. Thus, felons are condemned to prison for the objective of re-integration after rehabilitation (Asokhia & Agbonluae, 2013). Similarly, rehabilitation can be defined as a procedure of returning a felon to normal life after a violation of state or criminal law. Awopetu (2011) affirms that reformation is now seen as a procedure for improving an inmate and trying to ensure a substitution of his or her felonious deeds. Ugwuoke and Ojunugwa (2014) attest that rehabilitation simply means the modification of a trait or character and actions of a convicted felon through a good educational scheme or corrective treatment, making sure that individual offenders are reverted into the society as an accomplished, self-rooting, and recognized member of the society. In this context, the paper concurred with the definition provided by Ugwuoke and Ojunugwa (2014).

 

Theoretical Framework

 

This study is positioned within the Rehabilitative theory. Reaction to the early schools of penology and the idea that something more was needed, slowly gained acceptance throughout the nineteenth century. Jean Hampton, the major adherent of this theory sees punishment from different points of view that the aim of the penal system should be treatment and correction. Rehabilitation assumes that people are not natively criminal and that it is possible to restore a criminal to useful life, to a life in which they contribute positively to the development of themselves and society. According to Packer as cited in Dambazau (2007:310), the rehabilitation theory teaches us that “… we must treat each offender as an individual whose special needs and problems must be known … to enable us to deal effectively with him”.

 

In addition, Siegel (2005:371) affirmed that rehabilitation embraces the notion that given the proper care and treatment, criminals can be changed into productive, law-abiding citizens. Influenced by positivist criminology, the rehabilitation school suggests that people commit crimes through no fault of their own. Instead, criminals themselves are the victims of social injustice, poverty and racism, their acts are a response to a society that has betrayed them and because of their disturbed and impoverished upbringing, they may be suffering psychological problems and personality disturbances that further enhance their committing capacities. Similarly, Ugwuoke (2010:56) asserts that “rehabilitation requires that the offender be treated humanely with dignity and respect, be shown love, kindness and compassion, not cruelty, contempt and hate”. The theoretical framework for this study is hinged on the rehabilitative perspective by Siegel (2005:371). This theory indeed captures the thrust of this study as it tries to establish the justification or rationale behind the treatment of drug addicts by “changing the attitude and behaviour of addicts so that they will be able to choose lawful means, in satisfying their needs”

 

Rehabilitative measures for drug addicts in Nigeria

 

The drug addicts' rehabilitation process is integrated into the whole conceptualization of rehabilitation. The addicts are in themselves deviants because they violated the laws and conventions of their society by indulging in the abuse of drugs. Eric (2014), proposed two principles of rehabilitation namely, the "groups-relations principle" and "clinical principle" which are relived to theories of rehabilitation of deviants. The Group-relations principle for rehabilitating deviants is based on the interrelationship between personality and culture. And on the general criminological theory that maintains in essence that deviance is a behaviour, which a person in question has appropriated from the social relationships in which he has been participating. The main thrust of this criminological leaning is that deviance like other behaviours, attitudes, beliefs, and values is the property of groups not of individuals (Bosari, Murphy & Barnett, 2007). Considering the above assumption, the Group relations principle holds then that attempts to change the deviant behaviour of a person must be directed at modification of the groups owning the behaviour. Therefore if the behaviour of a man is an intrinsic part of the groups to which he belongs, then an attempt to change that behaviour will succeed only if the groups are somehow modified. In this principle, individuals and group psychotherapy are rapidly becoming rehabilitation devices. In individual psychotherapy, the psychological needs of individual deviants are of primary consideration, and the usual assumption here is that correction of any psychological disorder or problem the individual may have will change his criminality. It is also the position of the group relations' protagonists that individual psychotherapy is effective in changing criminality to the extent that it serves as a stimulant or inducement to changes in social relationships. The group relation principle also implies that for rehabilitating criminals there must be more than just group therapy. Besides, there must be opportunities for integration into groups that own abundant anti-criminal values and behaviour patterns. Therefore, interaction in a clinical group might be effective as a rehabilitation technique to the extent that it gives the criminal participant experience in the role of a law-abiding person.

 

Quite different from the group-relations principle the clinical principle of rehabilitating deviants is also consistent with the criminological thinking that criminality is a personal trait or characteristic of a person exhibiting the behaviour. An extreme position is that criminality is a biological phenomenon. This view however tallies with a much more popular theoretical position that criminality is a psychological and physiological defect or disorder; or a symptom of both. Here criminality is considered as the property of the individual rather than the group. The clinical principle implies that individual disorders producing criminality are psychological and are therefore to be corrected through psychological attention. This statement implies that criminality is analogous to infectious disease and should be corrected or treated clinically in the clinic without reference to the conditions under which it is acquired. Eric (2014), further believed that the clinical principle is predicated on the view that because criminality is an expression of individual psychological disorders.

 

Identifying and treating drug addicts by the use of different methods are not the ends of the processes in themselves. Rather it is important to understand the major objectives behind their treatment as already posited by previous scholars. For instance, Tupper, (2012) identified the major objectives of treating drug addiction as follows, Firstly, terminating physiological dependence through the withdrawal of drugs with a minimum of suffering. Secondly, providing appropriate forms of therapy to increase the addict's resources so that he will successively not retreat to drug use.

 

However, Eysenck (2002) characterized the problem of rehabilitating the drug addict within the centre by believing that the most generally applicable statement that can be made is the continuous use of certain drugs. Consequently, re-education in a drug-free environment appears to be essential if the probability of relapse is to be reduced. Furthermore, no controlled environment can duplicate the everyday life situations to which the client must return. Hence, the period of confinement in an institution should be limited ideally to that which affords sufficient time for available methods of re-education to be given a thorough trial. In the process of confinement within the rehabilitating, centres, the drug addicts undergo an experience of living to accept or reject their change trials

 

Regarding the latter, the adjustment has been distinctively conceptualized by Smart, (2007) and Miller (2002). For Smart, adjustment can mean the desires such as motives, attitudes, and values to social requirements. In Smart's view, society is conceived as a force requiring an individual's compliance through socialization. From Miller's point of view, adjustment is sometimes presented in terms of an unfolding of the individual's potentialities relationships pervade human experiences and other forms of expectations. These, according to Hollander (1971) are especially important where those others are significant to an individual's identity. Besides, the flow of social interaction progresses within the context of group norms and role demands.

 

Contrary to the above, Hollander (1971) also puts forward the idea that adjustment is a response to initialized frustration and conflict. This conception is derived originally from the view that individual motives, which cannot always be satisfied, lead to a state of frustration. This singular factor accounts for many theories of adjustment based on the egocentric definition offered. The satisfaction of one motive is sometimes inconsistent with the satisfaction of another equally impelling motive that leads to a state of internal conflict. From a psychological perspective, frustration and conflict are conditions, which represent the essential bases of psychological adjustment. These can lead to expressive behaviour, as a relief from the tension produced by frustration, or to behaviours that could be instrumental in achieving the goal (Obaje, 2009)……

Objectives of the Study

 

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The specific objectives are:

 

i.           To ascertain the types of treatment available for drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

 

ii.           Examine the role of government in the rehabilitation of drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

iii.          Examine the effects of drug addiction on the youth in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

 

iv.          To determine the effectiveness of rehabilitative measures for drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Centre, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

 

Procedures

 

The study is on Musabil Herbal Center, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The centre deals in orthodox and alternative medicine (traditional and faith-based). The centre has treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and faith healing sub-units. This study employed a social survey design. This is because social survey research design makes the collection of data from a large population using a representative sample to make generalizations. Musabil Herbal Center has a population of 239 patients population consisting of in and out-patients as of April 2020 (Record Unit, 2020). However, the target population for this study is not the entire population of patients but only drug addicts who have been discharged and those undergoing treatment. This included both male and female patients numbering 103. The sample size for the study is 103 respondents. This is because the target population is small, the study, therefore, takes a census of all.

 

For in-depth interview (IDI), a purposive sampling technique was employed to select informants who comprised of relevant stakeholders (Health workers, family relatives, community leaders, women leaders, traditional leaders, and security personnel) were interviewed. Purposive sampling entails the selection of members of the sample based on the researcher’s judgment of how a self-selected population can be obtained. The purposive technique was more efficient as it provided access to a self-selected population for the research. The primary data were gathered with the use of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The researcher chose the questionnaire instrument because of anonymity, as it gives greater confidence to the respondents to express themselves freely. On the other hand, qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews (IDIs). An in-depth interview (IDI) is suitable for this study because it provides much more comprehensive evidence than what is obtainable through other data collection procedures. Completed questionnaires were coded into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive data were presented in simple frequencies and tables. The qualitative data were transcribed verbatim into English, together with observational notes. Furthermore, the data was sifted and sorted. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

 

Results and Analysis

 

Table 1: Responses on the types of treatments received in the centre

Source: Field Survey, 2021

 

Table 1 is an illustration of the respondent’s view on the types of treatments received in the centre. Information from the study indicates that an overwhelming proportion of the total respondents admitted that drug therapy is the most kind of treatment received in the centre with an affirmation of 33.0 percent of the total respondents. This implies that drug therapy is the best type of treatment received in the centre

 

During the in-depth interview (IDI) a medical doctor and nurse pointed out that most types of treatment received in the centre are drug therapy and it is the most accessible type of medicine in the study centre. They explained as thus:

 

“We only administered drug therapy in the centre. It has been very accessible to the centre. Even though we use other types of

 

treatment like behaviour therapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive therapy”

 

 

“Drug therapy is the common type of treatment in our centre and it is working very well. We have treated and rehabilitated many patients in the centre”.

Table 2: Reasons for addiction to the drug

Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table 2 indicates respondents' views on the reasons for addiction to the drug in Musabil Herbal Center, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data revealed that poverty, ignorance, and illiteracy was the major reason for addiction to a drug with 24.3 percent of the total respondents. Other reasons include lack of awareness regarding the dangers of drug abuse with 16.5 percent of the respondents, unemployment with 13.6 percent of the respondents, extraordinary wealth with 10.6 percent of the respondents, broken homes with 9.7 percent of the respondents, Poor religious commitment, and inappropriate social upbringing with 8.7 percent of the respondents, bad companionship with 7.7 percent of the respondents, lack of dialogue among family members with 5.8 percent of the respondent respectively. This endorses that Poverty, ignorance, and illiteracy are the major reasons for drug addiction This attracted strong support from interviewees during an in-depth interview (IDI) conducted in the centre. The overwhelming proportion of the interviewees accepted with one voice that poverty, ignorance, and illiteracy are the foremost reasons for drug addiction. An interviewee, a traditional leader captured the general position of the interviewees’ thus:

 

“Walahi, poverty, ignorance and illiteracy are reasons why our people engaged in drug addiction. This has affected us immensely and we need the government to empower us”

Table 3: Responses on whether the government is doing very well to eradicate the menace of drug addiction in their community 

Table 3 is a presentation of respondents' views on whether the government is doing very well to eradicate the menace of drug addiction in their community. The table indicates that the majority of the total respondents asserted that the government is not doing well to eradicate the menace of drug addiction in their community. This was established with 56.3 percent of the total respondents. This implies that there is a need for more effort from the government to eradicate the menace of drug addiction in society.

 

This was corroborated in an in-depth interview (IDI) conducted in the sampled areas in which the interviewees affirmed that the government is not doing enough to eradicate the menace of drug addiction that has eaten deep into the fabric of society. The position of an interview (a community leader) was captured as thus:

 

“In this community, the government is not doing enough to fight the danger of drug addiction. People abuse these drugs and no law enforcement officer arrests them. Sometimes even when they are arrested after a few days, you will see them walking freely in the community. Government must do something about this”.

 

Table 4: Responses on effects associated with drug addictions

 

Table 4 indicates respondents' views on effects associated with drug addiction in Musabil Herbal Center, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data revealed that crime is the most important effect associated with drug addiction with 24.3 percent of the total respondents. Other effects include health problems with 16.5 percent of the respondents, a mental disorder with 13.6 percent of the respondents, unproductive with 10.6 percent of the respondents, death with 9.7 percent of the respondents, Family isolation with 8.7 percent of the respondents, restlessness with 7.7 percent of the respondents and depression with 5.8 percent of the respondent respectively. This recommends that crime is the foremost effect associated with drug addiction.

 

This fascinated robust support from interviewees during an in-depth interview (IDI) conducted. An overwhelming percentage of the interviewees acknowledged with one voice that crime is the primary effect associated with drug addiction. An interviewee, security personnel netted the general position of the interviewees’ thus: 

“There has been an increase in the rate of crime in this community. The majority of cases reported were perpetrated by drug addicts in the community. You know they have to do everything possible because they are dependent on the drug. Most of them steal or burgle houses and the proceeds are used to buy drugs. The situation is alarming and harms society”.

 

Table 5: Responses on measures that would help to curtail drug addiction in the area

Source: Field Survey, 2021

 

Table 5 shows respondents’ views on measures that would help to curtail drug addiction in the area. Data from the study revealed that measures that would help to curtail drug addiction in the area are media awareness with 41.7 percent of the total respondents followed by civil education with 20.4 percent, legislation with 14.6 percent, religious preaching with 13.6 percent, and proper socialization with 9.7 percent of the total respondents respectively. This implies that a larger percentage of respondents in the study area agreed that media awareness curtails drug addiction.

 

Discussion of Findings

 

On the types of treatment available for drug addicts in the Centre, study findings revealed that drug therapy is the most important and available type of treatment in the centre conversely there are forms of treatment. This was supported by Cherl and Gert (2003) that a variety of treatment approaches are in widespread use. Drug therapy has become a dominant modality for the treatment of opiate addicts and has often been evaluated. Drug therapy programmes substitute a licit opiate, methadone, under controlled conditions, for illicit opiates such as heroin. Therapeutic communities provide a controlled

 

residential environment with intensive personality restructuring efforts. Therapeutic communities have typically been used for heroin addicts but are increasingly being used for other drugs and, after drug therapy, have been the most frequently evaluated modality.

 

Regarding the role of the government in the rehabilitation of drug addicts, the findings of the study discovered that the government has not played a significant role in eradicating the menace of drug addiction in Nigeria through policies and actions. This was corroborated by Tupper (2012) that governmental policies have sought to contain the use to new populations and to break the link between and criminal behavior to reduce overall crime. Traditional criminal justice approaches to curtailing the drug supply have not been achieved in curbing drug use. Treatment of drug user reduces or eliminates drug use and thereby reduce the user's criminal activity.

 

Concerning the effects of drug addiction on the youth, study findings unraveled that drug addiction has negative effects on the youth which has led to an increase in the rate of crime in the study area. This submission was maintained by Bosari, Murphy and Barnett, (2007) that there is an undeniable link between drug addiction, crime and delinquency. Arrest, adjudication, and intervention by the criminal and juvenile justice systems are eventual consequences for many youths engaged in alcohol and other drug use. It cannot be claimed that drug addiction causes criminal and delinquent behaviour or delinquency causes alcohol and other drug use. However, the two behaviours are strongly correlated and often bring about school and family problems, involvement with negative peer groups, lack of neighborhood social controls, and physical or sexual abuse. Possession and use of alcohol and other drugs are illegal for all youth.

 

About the effectiveness of rehabilitative measures for drug addicts, the finding of the study uncovered that the rehabilitation measures are very effective and efficient in the rehabilitation programme. This assertion was affirmed by Eric (2014) that drug addicts' rehabilitation process is integrated into the whole conceptualization of rehabilitation. The addicts are in themselves deviants because they violated the laws and conventions of their society by indulging in the abuse of drugs. The treatment is to terminate physiological dependence through withdrawal and to provide appropriate forms of therapy to the addicts.

Conclusion and Recommendations

 

This study has examined the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in Musabil Herbal Center, Gauta, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Drug addiction is a disorder that is characterized by a self-destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems and distress. Looking at the findings of the study, it can be observed that drug addiction is not caused by a single factor alone, as expressed by many writers. It is caused by the interplay of at least two or more factors. Drug addiction has not only becomes a universal, social and psychological problem but also emerged that the pattern of drug abuse have almost completely changed greatly and have taken a dimensional model of behaviour sales and consumption (abuse) of drug like marijuana, vellum, vanillin syrup and tremolos are conducted openly in all the states, local governments villages. Drug addiction is injurious to the health of the user, as result has a lot of social and psychological problems. Generally, the drug clients are not adjusting excellently in the process of their rehabilitation, but some factors are found to point at who is adjusting well, and who is not, comparatively. The study reveals that there is a need for more attention to be paid to the progressive addicts, and those that spent long years in drug use, who are associated significantly with the low level of adjustment. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made;

 

i.           Public education should be targeted at the vulnerable segment of society, such as the older children, adolescents and young adults on the danger of drug addiction in society. Such educational measures should be carefully presented through methods that avoid threats and dramatization. Organized rallies in public places like motor parks, NYSC camps, Universities, and other institutions of higher learning, Mosques and Churches should also be inclusive.

 

ii.           There is a need for a comprehensive social rehabilitation approach that will involve the integration of the faith-based, social welfare, and psychiatric approach in one process. This will be to cover up the lapses of each of the approaches with the advantage of the other, especially for the lapses discovered in the psychiatric approach.

 

iii.          Nigerian Government has a big role to play in the prevention of drug addiction which they are playing already through NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) and other drug controlling groups like NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Abuse Control). Furthermore, the government should have a well- defined comprehensive and realistic policy on the control of drugs. This policy should include establishing a federal drug control centre, under the auspices of the ministries of health and internal affairs, which will collate information on drug use, and liaise with similar smaller units, to be based in each state. The government should train health professionals on rational prescriptions, with particular emphasis on Opiates and related drugs and design psycho-educational programmes that will target adolescents and young adults who have increased vulnerability to using the drug.

 

iv.          Social rehabilitation of the drug clients should be designed to carry family members along through establishing family therapy where the family system is incorporated as a "holistic client" that also needs to be rehabilitated. The affected family members should do this through counseling that will aim at healing the family of the wounds of wrong deeds. Professional assurance of possible clean records will also be provided to facilitate acceptance and family reunion.

 

v.          The drug regulatory agencies like NAFDAC, Police, and NDLEA should also intensify effort to check the persistent increase in the sales and consumption of hard drugs in the society

 

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