1. The attitude of attorneys toward substance users and referral of offenders for drug treatment in southern Nigeria.
- Author
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Akanni, Oluyemi O., James, Bawo O., and Arigbede, Olubukola O.
- Subjects
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LAWYERS , *SUBSTANCE abuse , *CANNABIS (Genus) , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *CROSS-sectional method , *RESEARCH methodology , *CRIMINALS , *SURVEYS , *MEDICAL referrals , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *STATISTICAL sampling , *DRUG abusers - Abstract
This study describes attorney's attitudes towards substance use, offenders with drug problems and referral for treatment in Nigeria. It is a cross-sectional descriptive survey conducted among 70 attorneys in Benin City, Nigeria. Participants drawn by both convenience sampling and snowballing approach filled a paper questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, questions on drug dependence and the law relating to it, and the modified substance use scale. A greater proportion of the attorney (69.4%) correctly identified that intoxication can be used as a defence in a criminal charge while fewer (10.0%) opined dependence was a medical (psychiatric) problem. The majority (85.7%) opined that cannabis should not be legalized and viewed alcohol as dangerous and destructive to the youth of a country if not controlled by law (84.3%). Though few (16.2%) believed that medical intervention alone will suffice for drug addiction, many (84.3%) opined that the best way to treat alcohol or drug-dependent people is to refer them to a good treatment program. Nigerian Lawyers demonstrated a mixture of negative/positive attitudes towards drug users and correct/incorrect knowledge on the law regulating drug-related offence. While drug education of legal professionals is recommended, recognition of the potential roles played in treatment referral should be reinforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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