EFFECT OF ILLICIT DRUG TRADE ON SECURITY IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study examined the effect of illicit drug trade on security in Anambra State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the relationship between illicit drug trading and community violence, evaluate the relationship between illicit drug trading and crime and to examine the factors that encourage illicit drug trading in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. To achieve the objectives of this study, data were collected from the respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data collected for the study were correlated and analyzed using descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented through mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics such Pearson correlation analyses was adopted in the test of hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted Rational Choice theory as propounded by Philosopher Adam Smith in the eighteenth century. It was specifically discovered that there is a significant relationship between illicit drug trade and community violence and that there is a significant relationship between illicit drug trade and crime. Based on this, Part of the recommendation includes that security agencies saddled with the responsibility of tackling illicit drug trading activities should be strengthened, adequately equipped, trained and motivated to discharge their duties effectively. Government must also formulate and implement policies capable of addressing the identified factors which encourage the trade and consumption of illicit drugs such as unemployment, unequal distribution of wealth and poverty.