Abstract:
This study evaluated the influence of un-conventional (local) substance (Latrine
sniffing, Solution, fuel, lizard faeces, zakami, Tom-Tom in Lecasera, (gutter Water)
abuse on Political Thuggery among Youths in Jos-North L.G.A. Plateau State. Seventy
(70) Youths were sampled for this study within the age bracket of 16-30 years. The
research design employed for this study is the survey method. While primary and
secondary methods were employed for data collection, qualitative and quantitative
methods of data analysis were used. Data zvere edited on the field daily and entered
into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 21.0)12 for analyses. Data zvere
presented using tables. Chi-square test was used to compare categoricalvariables and
level of statistical significance set at p<0.05.The participants were Youths who are still
searching for admission or out of school doing menial jobs. Substance use scale was
developed to assess the prevalence of substance use and possible reasons as to why they
indulge in the use and abuse of substance. The mean for the frequency of substance
abuse was 2.48 with a standard deviation of 3.696. The result showed that political
thuggery amongst Youth in Jos North L.G.A. was largely connected to substance
abuse, with level of significance 0.395 >0.5. The study found out that painful
experience, ecortomic conditions, low level of literacy, selfish attitude of Politicians
towards the Youths indulge them to substance use, making them ready tools of terror
in the hands of selfish Politicians. It was recommended that government; non-
Governmental Organizations and individuals interested in substance abuse should
focus on the youths as they are at greater risk to indulge in political thuggery
