Illicit drug use has been linked with a number of social problems like robbery, violence and youth restiveness experienced today in Nigeria. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other empirical research findings point to the increasing number of young persons involved in drug use in Nigeria (NDLEA: 2007). The need for Governments to invest adequately in the country’s health sector by helping to address the problems of alcohol or drug misuse especially in the motor parks has been identified. A major concern about cannabis has been that its use in motor parks for example may precipitate, or increase the risk of using other more dangerous illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin (Kleiman, 1992). Environments where young people are exposed to illicit drug are likely to experience upsurge in violent crimes such as armed robbery and social crimes including kidnapping and prostitution that are now rampant in many states in the country. A typical Nigerian garage has been identified as a den of lions and lionesses, and home for predators and vultures in human skin; and illicit drug use abound there (Oderemi, 2011).
Illicit drug use represents one of the many possible mal-adjustable ways in which an individual may react to internal or external stressors. Though programmes are being undertaken to reduce the extent of illicit drug use, these programmes are not judged to be effective. Existing programmes seem not to be working because they may be based on false assumptions. Additionally these programmes do not seem to address the motivating factors in the initiation of drug use by individuals. Some of the notable illicit drugs that are commonly used in motorparks include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, among others (Bajulaiye, 2005). Cocaine and amphetamines are being mixed with local gin at motor parks and sold as drug cocktails nicknamed “shepke” and “monkey tail”. These potent stimulants are used by some individuals to stay awake. However, these drugs are illegal and have some health implications. Understanding how gender, family structure, type of residential area and locus of control influence illicit drug use is important for effective drug control and management in Nigeria.