Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in Nigeria and the Role of Christianity in Curbing This Menace
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to examine alcoholism and drug abuse in Nigeria and the role of the Christianity in curbing this menace. But for the successful completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following objective:
- To ascertain the effect of drug abuse on the health of Nigerian
- To examine the effect of alcoholism among Nigeria youth
- To examine the relationship between drug addict and alcoholic
- To examine the role of the church in curbing alcoholism in the society
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Background of the study
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening till wine inflames them! (Isaiah 5:11). The New King James version brought it clearer by calling it “intoxicating drink”. Probably the use of wine that time was that there was no intoxicating drugs and people were taken to intoxicating drinks. The Bible did not outrightly condemn the use of wine rather it condemns being intoxicated by wine. In Canaan in Galilee, Jesus Christ himself turned water into wine in a marriage feast (John 2:1-11). In doing this, it means that He did not condemn the use of wine but being addicted to it or being intoxicated by wine. To support this, the bible also says in Ephesians “And be not drunk with wine, wherein in excess; but be filled with the spirit”. (Eph. 5:18). In Titus 2:3, the bible says “bid the older women likewise to be reverent in behaviour, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink” In Prov. 20:1, “bible says wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler and that whoever is led astray by it is not wise”. With this, one can see that the Bible is not against wine rather against taken it in excess because it is made clear that instead of taking wine in excess, 9 why not be filled with the Holy Spirit. Timothy was advised by Paul not only to drink only water but to use little wine for his stomach’s sake and his frequent infirmities (I Tim. 5:23)
THE CONCEPT OF ALCOHOL
A proper approach on alcoholism may not be possible if an introductory discuss is not made on the concept of alcohol. William (2007) stated that in chemistry, alcohol is an organic compound which the hydroxyl functional group is (-0H) bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bound to three other atoms. An important 15 class of alcohol is the simple acyclic alcohol, the general formula for which is CnH2n+10H of that ethanol (C2H50H) is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and in common speech the word alcohol refers specifically to ethanol. Many forms of alcohol exist though not all are consumable as there are toxic ones. Lodgsdon (1994) explained that the most commonly used alcohol is ethanol, (C2H5OH) with the ethane backbone. Ethanol has been produced and consumed by humans for millennia, in the form of fermented and distilled alcoholic beverage. It is a clear flammable liquid that boils at 78.40 c, which is used as an industrial solvent, car fuel, and raw material in the chemical industry. Another form of alcohol is methanol which is the simplest form of alcohol. Robert (2004) pointed that methanol (CH30H) was formerly obtained by the distillation of wood and therefore, it is called „wood alcohol”. It is a clear liquid resembling ethanol in smell and properties, with a slightly lower boiling point of 64.70C and is used mainly as a solvent, fuel and raw material. Unlike ethanol, methanol is extremely toxic; a sip as little as (10ml) can cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve and 30ml (one fluid ounce) is potentially fatal. Two other alcohols whose uses are relatively widespread (though not so much as those of methanol and ethanol) are propanol and butanol. Like ethanol, they can be produced by fermentation processes.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely
-Primary source and
-Secondary source
Primary source: These are materials of statistical investigation, which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary data: These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher in interested in getting information from for the study alcoholism and drug abuse in Nigeria and the role of the church in curbing the menace 200 members of selected churches was randomly selected by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on alcoholism and drug abuse in Nigeria and the role of Christianity in curbing this menace.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the menace of alcoholism and drug abuse in Nigeria.
Summary
Abbott et al (2009) stated that the best method to treat alcoholism or alcohol dependency vary depending upon an individual’s medical and personal needs. Some heavy drinkers who recognize their problem appear to recover on their own. Others recover through participation in the programs of Alcoholics Anonymous or other self-help groups. Some alcoholics require longterm individual of group therapy, which may include hospitalization. And still others do not seek treatment at all. These people do not seek treatment as the result of combination of factors, including ignorance of the symptoms of alcoholic- use disorders, the social stigma that still surrounds these disorders, that is, the fear of being labeled an alcoholic and an unwillingness to accept lifetime abstinence from alcohol as a treatment goal. These approaches can be helpful.
Conclusion
Drug is a substance that affects the function of a living cell, which is used to cure and prevent the occurrence of illness. A drug becomes a “medicine” when it is used to save life, it becomes “poison” when it causes death, it becomes “mis-use” when people indulge in self-medication to cure illness and it becomes “abuse” when it is used indiscriminately. Due to the habitual use of drugs, drug addicts especially youths cannot do without it and it has been a problem to our country Nigeria and the world in general. The impact of drug abuse among the Nigerian youths has been a stigma to the society. The effects of drug abuse especially among our youths and society are so devastating. Many of the Nigerian youths depend on one form of drug or the other. The rate at which youths abuse drugs is so alarming and worrisome. Many youths have tried one drug or the other and many of them are 80 drug abusers today. The family, church, community, school, Nigerian government have role to play in controlling drug abuse in Nigeria, Bamaiyi (1997:14) had this to say: Certification or no certification, Nigeria must continue the drug war. In this hide and seek game, our primary objective is to salvage the nation from the scourge of hard drug. Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12 says “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”. In this regard, youths should reject drug abuse because it may seem good to them but it leads to doom.
Recommendations
Haven completed the study, the researcher therefore recommend that Parents should train up their children in the fear of the Lord and they should re-orientate them on the adverse of drug abuse on their health, society and human dignity because charity begins at home as they say. The Ministry of Education (Federal and State) should add to their curricula “Drug Education” for both the primary, secondary and tertiary schools in Nigeria. They should always organize lectures, seminars, rallies, film show etc for the Nigerian youths on the effects of drug abuse. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Abuse Control and other control groups should not relent in carrying out their responsibilities on drug abuse in order to make Nigeria a drug abuse free society with a special focus on the Nigerian youths because they are the future leaders of this great country, Nigeria. The Nigerian government as a whole should always be educating the public on the dangers of drug abuse through awareness, programme for the Nigerian youths etc.
Reference
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