Substance Abuse and Civic Disengagement: Examining the Influence of Drug Use on Youth Participation in Community and Political Life in Taraba State, Nigeria

Background: Substance abuse among youth in Nigeria has reached epidemic proportions, yet its consequences for civic and community engagement remain critically understudied. Civic participation—encompassing involvement in community events, social causes, political discourse, and collective action—is fundamental to democratic governance and social cohesion.

Objective: This study examined the influence of substance abuse on civic participation among youth aged 15-35 years in Taraba State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey recruited 353 youth (62.3% male, 37.7% female) across all sixteen Local Government Areas using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measuring substance abuse patterns and four dimensions of civic participation: community event participation, involvement in social causes, political discussion engagement, and sense of community connectedness. Simple linear regression and descriptive analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27.

Results: Substance abuse demonstrated a significant negative influence on civic participation (β = -.256, p < .001), explaining 6.5% of the variance (R² = .065, F(1,351) = 24.522). Critically, 81.9% of respondents reported reduced political discussion engagement due to substance use, 77.6% reported decreased community activity participation, and 82.5% reported feeling disconnected from community activities. Over 60% reported no active participation in community events.

Conclusion: Substance abuse fundamentally severs youths' connection to civic and community life, fostering political alienation and social withdrawal. This erosion of the civic fabric threatens both individual psychosocial wellbeing and the foundations of democratic governance in Taraba State. Targeted interventions must address civic reintegration alongside substance abuse treatment.