The Influence of Illicit Drug Proliferation on Youth Vulnerability in Urban Centers: A Case Study of Amac, Abuja

Abstract

The proliferation of illicit substances represents a formidable public health challenge and security threat in Nigeria's urban landscapes, with youths being disproportionately vulnerable. This research examines the complex interplay between drug proliferation and youth vulnerability within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), offering critical insights into the mechanisms through which urban environments foster substance abuse. Employing a systematic review methodology, this study analyzes secondary data from governmental reports, peer-reviewed literature, and empirical studies published between 2010-2024. The theoretical framework integrates Social Control Theory and Social Strain Theory to examine how weakened social bonds and limited opportunity structures interact with urban environments to increase youth vulnerability to drug proliferation. Findings indicate that 40% of Nigerian youths have been exposed to drug abuse, with AMAC exhibiting elevated vulnerability due to its urban characteristics. A complex network of socioeconomic factors — including unemployment (standing at 33.3% according to 2024 data), peer influence, and family disintegration — emerges as significant determinants. The research identifies three primary vulnerability pathways: economic precarity (62% of cases), social disorganization (28%), and psychological distress (10%). Theoretical analysis suggests that the urban environment of AMAC attenuates traditional social controls while simultaneously amplifying strain through relative deprivation