# Introduction drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed, Drug abuse is defined herein as illicit production, trafficking, and consumption. Drug abuse can affect several aspects of a person's physical and psychological health. Certain drugs can lead to drowsiness and slow breathing, while others may cause insomnia, paranoia, or hallucinations. Chronic drug use is associated with cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease. Drug addiction is one of the major problems in this community. Since these communities have young populations, they are at greater risks of addiction. The and the most vulnerable group. Problems of puberty, adolescents and youth identity crisis, and mental conditions can be considered as important factors for the tendency of this age group towards addiction (Petraitis J, Flay BR, Miller 2011). The use of drugs in adolescents who their friends have a positive attitude towards drugs is higher, even up to two-thirds of the causes for using the drugs is how much close friends talk about the drugs, and a friend suggests them to accept the use of drugs Petraitis J, Flay BR, Miller 2019) As well as pleasure, curiosity and escape of from home. Addiction has engaged all industrial and nonindustrial societies along with malnutrition and environmental pollution; so that addiction had a growing trend during the recent years in Sierra Leone (Heidari H, Sharif Malmir M 2013). close friends talk about the drugs, and a friend suggests them to accept the use of drugs (Ghoreishi Zadeh SMA 2001) As well as pleasure, curiosity, and escape of psycho-social problems are the major causes of early drug use for the first time Ghoreishi Zadeh SMA 2002). Heidari et al. concluded that low self-esteem, successive failures in life, and observational learning from addicted family members were the most common causes of a tendency towards drugs (Heidari H, Sharif Malmir M 2013). Yuki Maehara et al. investigated the factors influencing relapse of drug usage in Bangladesh during 5 months after drug withdrawal and concluded that the relapse rate is higher in women. In the male population, the most common factors influencing relapse included unstable housing, living alone, and high income. In the female population, the most common factors of relapse included having no child for emotional support and working as a sex worker (Maehira Y, Chowdhury EI 2013) Mir Lotfi et al. evaluated the attitudes of students in the dormitory of Zahedan City towards the drug abuse and they concluded that there are different causes for a tendency towards the drugs while staying in a dormitory is one of the most critical periods in people's lives and necessary and appropriate measures should be performed to solve social and mental problems in this period (Mir Lotfi P, Javadimehr 2015) Kilpatrick et al. also reported that the age of first use is obviously related to the future consumption patterns. As the drug usage is started sooner, it is correlated with the greater and more widespread use of other drugs (Kilpatrick DG, Acierno R 2013. # Sylvia Kercher Bangura ? & Ijatu Sesay ? Illegal drugs are define as chemical formulas, but underground chemist can modify the molecular structure of certain illegal drugs to produce analogy known as designer drugs, which do not meet these definitions,, these drugs can several be stronger than the drugs they are designed to imitate # Marijuana It's still the most-used illegal drug in Sierra Leone., despite it recently earning legal status for medical purposes in many countries. Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the hemp (Cannabis sativa) plant, all parts of it can be used Most people smoke marijuana, but it can also be added to foods and eaten. It can act as both a stimulant and a depressant, and even a hallucinogen. Marijuana contains the chemical which acts on different parts of the brain to create the "high" that users experience, such as changes in sensations, mood, body movements, thinking, and memory. When used regularly, marijuana can affect brain development and lead to cognitive problems. It can become addictive for some people, and also cause serious health problems such as breathing problems, increased heart rate, palpitation and a higher risk of heartattacks, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts for some people. Among young people, heavy Marijuana use has been associated with cognitive impairment and mental illness, like schizophrenia. However, in adults, chronic use of marijuana has been associated with serious medical conditions. # Inhalants Inhalants are mood-altering substances that are voluntarily inhaled. Most substances used are commercial and household products, such as solvents and aerosols, which are easily obtained and are not harmful, if used for the purpose intended and as directed. Because they are common products, inhalants often are a young person's first attempt at "getting high". Inhalants can severely impair judgment and driving ability. They also cause severe disorientation, visual distortion and confusion. There is evidence that tolerance to the effects of inhalants develops with continued use so, users need to increase use to obtain the same high. Studies have shown that dependence on inhalants continues even when the user goes on to use other drugs. Inhalants include: Nitrous Oxide, laughing gas, propellant aerosol cans, Amyl Nitrite, poppers, snappers in ampules, Butyl Nitrite, rush, bullet, climax (Kilpatrick 2018). # II. # Stimulants Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and excite bodily activity. Methamphetamine is one of the fastest-growing drugs of abuse. These drugs create less intense and less expensive cocaine-like effects in the body. Persons who use large amounts of amphetamines over a long period of time can develop an amphetamine psychosis that includes hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. These symptoms usually disappear when drug use ceases. Amphetamines can be swallowed in pills or capsules, smoked as "crank" and "ice" or injected. An amphetamine injection creates a sudden increase in blood pressure that can result in stroke, very high fever or heart failure Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and excite bodily activity abuse. # Signs and Symptoms Mood changes, Impaired concentration, Impaired mental functioning, Mood swings between apathy and alertness, Restless. Anxious and moody behaviour Increased heart and respiratory rates, High blood pressure, Profuse sweating, Loss of appetite Dizziness Blurred vision, Anxiety and sleeplessness. A depressant is a drug that depresses the central nervous system, resulting in sedation and a decrease in bodily activity. Depressants, taken as prescribed by physicians, can be beneficial for the relief of anxiety, irritability, stress and tension. The main classes of medical depressants are barbiturates and benzodiazepines. When regular users suddenly stop taking large doses, they can develop withdrawal symptoms ranging from restlessness, insomnia and anxiety to convulsions and death. Babies born to mothers who abuse depressants during pregnancy may be physically dependent on the drugs and show withdrawal symptoms shortly after they are born. Birth defects and behavioural problems also may result. Depressants are known as S barbiturates, downers, and tranquillizers, such as Valium, Librium, Equanil, Serax, Tranxene, and Xanax. The effect of depressants are in many ways similar to the effect of alcohol. small amounts can produce calmness and relaxed muscles .but somewhat larger doses can cause slurred speech. # Hallucinogens Hallucinogenic drugs distort the senses and often produce hallucinations-experiences that depart Alcohol (chemical name ethanol) is usually found as a beverage and is a colourless liquid in its pure form. It acts by slowing down the body's reactions in many different ways. There are three main forms of alcoholic drink, divided by strength: ? Beers -up to 7-8% ABV (alcohol by volume) # Aims and Objectives a) Aims The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of drugs on the youth of Port Loko township. b) The Objectives of the Study are Follows 1. To find out reasons why youth take drugs 2. To identify the types of Drugs taken by youths 3. To find out the different route of Administration 4. to find out the effect of drugs on; Narcotic analgesics are the most effective compounds used for pain relief. Narcotic analgesics include Opium, Opiates (morphine, codeine, Percodan, heroin, and Dilaudid), and Opioids (synthetic substitutes such as Vicodin, Darvon, Demerol, and methadone). Narcotics can be smoked or eaten (opium), injected, taken orally or smoked (morphine), inhaled, injected, or smoked (heroin). Opiates also are known as heroin, smack, horse, brown sugar, and black tar. Designer drugs are also related to amphetamines and have a mild stimulant property but are mostly euphoriants. They can cause brain damage and can produce symptoms such as severe Parkinson's disease. paralysis and irreversible brain damage, nausea and vomiting. impaired speech. Chill's faintness, shock and blurred vision 'impaired perception, illusion # Signs and Symptoms Drowsiness Nausea and vomiting, Constricted pupils, Watery eyes and itching, Low and shallow breathing, Cold and clammy skin, Difficulty in breathing, Tramadol is a strong painkiller. It's used to treat moderate to severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury. It's also used to treat long-standing pain when weaker painkillers no longer work. It also has side effect tramadol can slow or stop breathing, and may be habit-forming, misuse of drugs can lead to addiction and over dose can lead to death. Sleepiness. headache. Nervousness. Uncontrollable shaking of a part of, the body. Muscle tightness. Changes in mood. heartburn or indigestion. Dry mouth. # Medical Research Volume XXII Issue I Version I ( D D D D ) B © 2022 Global Journals The Effect of Drug Abuse on Youths in Portloko Town, Northern Sierra Leone # d) Statement of the Problem Drugs have become the order of the day in port loko township, most youth are invlove in the taken of drugs, as they believe that it is part of their diet, drug addiction is so peculiar amongst them as there are a lot of hidden places that are known to them that are in the habit of selling drugs at affordable price, and it can be assessable and affordable most drugs are not bought with pricription, so can easily buy tranqulizers and sedatives and pain releiving drugs at any pharmacist or drug stores to quench there desires, even thogh these drugs stores are monitored by bphamacist board they sell behind counters, and because these youths been addicted with drugs, most of them are found in the street mad, insane, frustrated, thieves, gamblers, prostitude, teenage pregnancy, infections like HIV/AIDS. hapatitis .pneumonia, tuberculosis. cough, anaemia, fisto vagina futularchild mother and suicidal etc, all these have incure a lot on the Government and community in building rehabilitation centres, recruitment of staffs, and medicines, unrest on the part of the communit and drop out etc. # IV. Method of Data Presentation and Analysis The quantifiable data from the questionnaire was analysed statistically using tables with frequencies and percentages while the qualitative data from the interview was analysed qualitatively using simple description or narration. That is data collected from the interview and questionnaire were presented and analysed separately. The raw data directly collected by the researcher from sources such as questionnaire, oral interview, observation and case study. Questionnaire and person-to-person interview were the primary sources of data collection in this study. Journals, the internet and newspapers, especially those that have important information pertaining the uses and effect of drugs were also of great used in this sturdy. # V. Sample Size and Sampling Techniques The sample was selected randomly and purposively. The random technique gave every member equal opportunity and was used to guide the selection of appropriate samples to ensure that generalization of sample finding are representative of the population. The other technique used was purposive sampling as Bryman, ( 2008) pointed out that it is used to select subjects based on their relationship with the research questions. This technique was employed to identify key respondents in the various categories of people in the study area. Considering the gender sensitivity, gender equality and equity aspects implicated in the study equal numbers of male (20) and Female (20) respondents were selected-which give a total of forty (40) persons interviewed. Amongst these were ten ( 10) adults ( 5) five women and five (5) men and thirty (30) youths and young adults. The table above explain the sex and ages of those interviewed, there are a total of twenty (20) males and twenty (20) female, 25% of males are within the ages of 12-19 years,12.5% 20-28 years,12.5% .30 years and above female 20% within the ages 12-19 years .17.5% 20-28 years,12.5% 30 years and above' ? Emotional: Feeling they need drugs to fill a void in their lives (whether it's stress, trauma, relationship issues or more) # VI. # Results. Discussion and Analysis ? Physical: Feeling like they need the physical effects of a high or low to physically feel better ? Psychological: General feelings of inadequacy towards themselves or the world, so they use drugs to boost their confidence and self-esteem To fit in to society, one finds himself. To feel good, to experiment Availability of drugs, Grieving a death end of a relationship, Mental illness, Environmental influences. Relaxation, Self-medication. Financial burdens. Career pressure School pressures, Family demands, Peer and Social Pressure Abuse and trauma, Boredom, to fit in, Curiosity and experimentation, Rebellion to be in control. # The Effect of Drug Abuse on Family Members In addition to personal adversities, the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by youth may result in family crises, separation, devoice, and jeopardize many aspects of family life, sometimes resulting in family dysfunction. Both siblings and parents are profoundly affected by alcohol-and drug abuse family members would be regarded as an outcast t, irresponsible, abuse of drugs can drain a family's financial and emotional resources (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1992).as money and other resources they have would spend unwisely, only to rehabilitate their child, they also leave in fear of murder from their addicted children, some even tend to kill their parents, There's a stigma attached to addiction in society, and there's a lot of guilt and shame for the individual's families who struggle with the condition. The family members become frustrated and sell all they have only to rehabilitate their children. # The Effect of Drug Abuse on the Community The effect of drug abuse in the community is that most of the community members leave in fear of rubbery, thieves, peer group influence, by initiating others to take drugs, become gamblers, rapist, the incidence of murder and suicide, increase in crime cost on the community to build rehabilitation centres and to search for train personnel, rearing of unfruitful youths and the society will die out, the worst of it poverty cycle continues. # Figure 1V Prevention of Abuse of Drugs Parental monitoring and supervision are critical for drug abuse prevention. These skills can be enhanced with training on rule-setting; techniques for monitoring activities; praise for appropriate behaviour; and moderate, consistent discipline that enforces defined family rules. ? Avoid addiction to all these substances. ? Create awareness about the side effects and the consequences of the addiction. Of drugs ? Treatment of the people who are already addicted. With drugs ? Provide moral support and counselling for both addiction and none addicted. ? Avoid any kind of temptations and peer pressure. Youth now days see drugs. as a pleasure and fashion it is a most that every youth growing in this community should be part of it if not you will not be tolerated in some gatherings, taking of drugs as part of their food on a daily bases and these have made most of the youth both boys and girls dropping out of school becoming rapist, murderers, gabblers, thieves' rubbers and making themselves unfit in the community, addiction cause a lot of disease and disability in the community as majority of them are moto bike (okada) ridders who after taking drugs will drive or ride home, they mostly involved in an accident which lead to death or disability 'employment, and social economy have great effect on drug users. Signs and SymptomsImpairedconcentration,Confusionandagitation,1 self 11 Home111 community/Nation5. To find solutions and recommendation on how tominimize, rehabilitate and prevent the use of illegaldrugsc) Research QuestionsWhat are the reasons why youth take drugs? List the different type of drugs taken What are the route of taken these drugs? What are the e effect of these drugs on 1 oneself, 2 families 3 community/ Nation? from reality. 1SEXAGE IN YEARS12-19 YRS20-28 YRS 30 yrs and AboveNo % No%No%MALE10 25512..5512.5FEMALE820717.5512.5TOTAL18 4512301025 DrugsRoute of AdministrationEffectsAlcoholOral mouth? Salivary gland damage.? Gum disease and toothdecay.? Oesophageal ulcers.? Acid reflux and heartburn.? Stomachulcersandgastritis.? Internal bleeding? alcohol interferes with thebrain'scommunicationpathway? changemoodandbehaviour, and make itharder to think clearly andmove with coordination.Volume XXII Issue I Version ITramadol Cocaine Marijuana Sanitary pad (pampas) KushOral mouth Inhalation Smoking Boil with or without milk SmokingHaemorrhoids Nausea, vomiting, constipation, light-headedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or headache Dizziness, weakness ,fatigue nausea, vomiting Weakness .fatigue. .sleeps a lot, nervousness, increased energy, increased appititie. hyper reactiveVolume XXII Issue I Version I( D D D D ) B? Rapid heart rate ? Excessive worrying( D D D D )Medical Research? Sweating ? An impending sense of doom ? Mood swings ? Restlessness and agitation ? Tension ? InsomniaMedical ResearchKolanut Ataya EvostickOral mouth, Drinking InhalationNervousness. palpitation, increased heartbeat, loss aplite, Hyperactive, nervousness, increases appetite, increase heartbeat, palpitation, Drowsiness, dizziness, drowsiness weaknessGlobal Journal ofTobaccoSmokingPalpitation,hyperactive,dizzinessAriditeInhalationHyperactive,dizziness,palpitation,petrol/paintInhalationDizziness.palpitation,heartbeat, weakness.Super glue /bleach/aerosol canInhalationDizziness. weakness. heartbeatdrowsiness hyperactiveSnuff (Pounded tobacco mixUnderneath the tongueBlackanddecayteeth,with bicarbonate of soda)coughing. sneezing, palpitation.Drowsiness© 2022 Global Journals © 2022 Global JournalsTable 2: Different Types of Drugs route of Administration and its effect on Youths and Young Adults in the Port Loko * Marihuana, The First Twelve Thousand Years ELAbel 1980 Plenum Press New York * OAbiodun MLOgunremi OOOni GAObayan AO 1994 * African Journal of Medicine 13 1983 Bright Publishers * MLAdeniran RA Calif Learning Publications Ad. elekan London 1991 * London: Calif Learning P 6. 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