Drug Trafficking and Its Social Effects on Youths in Cross River State

Cross River State's geographic position as a border zone with Cameroon has positioned it as a transit corridor for illicit drug trafficking, with documented social consequences for youth populations in border communities and urban areas. This study examines drug trafficking networks and their social effects on youth in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining structured questionnaires administered to 320 youth aged 16 to 35 in Calabar, Ikom, and Obanliku local government areas with ten key informant interviews with community leaders and law enforcement officers. The Differential Association Theory was applied as the sociological framework. Results indicate that 38% of surveyed youth in Ikom, the border LGA, reported personal knowledge of someone engaged in drug trafficking, compared to 18% in Calabar. Economic motivation was identified as the primary recruitment factor by 76% of youth who admitted proximity to trafficking networks. Social normalization of trafficking in border communities was evidenced by the low stigma attached to known traffickers in those areas. Youth who entered trafficking networks demonstrated accelerated school dropout, earlier onset of personal drug use, and higher rates of subsequent involvement in other criminal activities. Female youth were disproportionately recruited as drug couriers due to perceived lower risk of law enforcement profiling. Protective factors included strong family bonds, school attachment, and active religious community membership. The study recommends border community-targeted social welfare programs, enhanced collaboration between NDLEA and community structures, and livelihood alternatives for at-risk youth in border areas. Keywords: drug trafficking, youth, Cross River State, social effects, border communities.