Lagos “area boys”, substance usage and potential risk factors

The current study explores the rate at which members of Lagos’ “area boys” engage in drug and alcohol use, and determines the predictive roles of parental and neighbourhood characteristics in the gang patterns of psychoactive substance misuse behaviour. The study approached gang members (N = 129) aged from 18 to 38 years (M = 25.83, SD = 4.82) through a snowballing (non probability) sampling method. Adopting a quantitative analytic technique, the results showed cannabis and alcohol as substance of choice with other improvised local drug concoctions being taken by some participants. The role of parental and neighbourhood characteristics as probable risk factors are described. The implications of the findings for rehabilitation service for the gang members are discussed.