Drug Abuse amongst Tertiary Institution Students and Security Challenges in Cross River State, Nigeria

Drug Abuse has become a topical issue in both National and International for as a result of the attendant cataclysmic consequences nations are facing due to the harmful usage by clandestine individuals and groups. This concern provoked the study as reported cases of drug abuse are on the increase in Nigeria, with the youth making the highest percentage of victims as seen among Tertiary Institution students in Cross River State. Thus, it was revealed that the high premium placed on some internationally known drugs like cocaine and heroin not manufactured nor produced in Nigeria, and their securitization, are the major reasons for the cultivation, production, trafficking, marketing and consumption of locally made illicit drugs by students as they are not easily detected by security agencies. Hence, the study was anchored on the premise that the emerging trends in narcotics with regard to the invention of locally made illicit drugs, aside conventional drugs like cocaine, heroin and cannabis (marijuana) is the main challenge of security agencies. Methodologically, the study covered Tertiary Institutions in Cross River State as the study area and the students’ population thereon, hence relied on primary and secondary data sources to ascertain the magnitude at which the consumption of illicit drugs by Tertiary Institution students had contributed as a drawback to economic development and a catalyst to security challenges. Thus, this deviant behavior constitutes a social menace and a security threat to the Nigerian State. The study recommended amongst others for the establishment of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) post in Tertiary Institutions campuses or regular patrol of their personnel on campuses.