Department of Geography, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
Online published on 21 November, 2013.
This paper examines abuse of cough syrup as a new trend in drug abuse among the youths in five (5) Northwestern States of Nigeria. The non medical consumption of cough syrups in Northern Nigeria has become a subject of public concern of recent, largely due to its potential danger to the society. About 11% of the youth in Nigeria are reliant on one form of drug or the other and this poses a serious threat to sustainable youth development in the Northern Region. Data for the study was collected via administration of questionnaire to 487 respondents selected via a combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The study discovers that there is massive consumption of cough syrup as a means a getting high among the youths and peer influence and depression/anxiety are the major factors compelling the youth to consume the drug. The study concludes by recommending a holistic way of handling the menace.
