FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUBSANCE ABUSE AMONG TEENAGERS AGED (13-19) IN IBURA OKIGWE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (2018-2020), IMO STATE.

This study focused on the factors contributing to substance abuse in Ibura village, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State. The research design used was Descriptive. The specific objectives were to identify the parental, social and individual factors contributing to substance abuse in Ibura village. The total population was estimated to be 2000 people and a sample size 333 people were selected for the study using systematic sampling technique the instrument employed by the researcher was questionnaire. The questionnaire was used for data collection and was analysed using simple percentage and frequency distribution. Findings were that all respondents 333 (100%) knew what substance abuse was and some contributing factors. Peer pressure 180 (54%) had a greater impact among other social factors. 150 (45%) stated that physical and sexual abuse was a contributing factor. 190 (57%) implied that depression had a greater impact among other individual factors. Recommendations were that education on the adverse consequences of substance abuse should be made available to teenagers. Also, Government should enact and enforce law prohibiting the advertisement of drugs. Parents and other significant adult must play key roles in encouraging teenagers to stay in school and avoid substance abuse. Non- Governmental organization should be set up to look into delinquent teenagers and how to help them so as to reduce the incidence of substance abuse in Ibura village, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo state.