Faith-Based Approach in the Control of Substance Abuse

: Interventional Perspective of Hisbah in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Substance abuse has become a global problem. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 3.5, addresses the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, especially narcotic drug addiction, and hazardous alcohol use. In Nigeria, several efforts have been made by succeeding governments to reduce substance abuse through formal means, but the threat has persisted owing to the weak implementation of substance-related policies and laws. Despite this, there is little empirical research on faith-based informal mechanisms of reducing the threat. This study, therefore, examines the roles of Hisbah as an informal means of reducing substance abuse, as well as people’s views of Hisbah’s role in the fight against substance use in Kano State, Nigeria. The study's theoretical grounding is in Emile Durkheim’s Theory of Religion and Social Control. This exploratory study employed a qualitative approach in its methods of investigation. This study recruited a total of 24 participants. These participants were made up of two (2) executives of Hisbah, three (3) Hisbah Commandants, five (5) Hisbah field personnel, seven (7) offenders, and seven (7) members of the general public. The qualitative data obtained were analysed using narrative technique and thematic approach with the aid of Atlas ti. software. Findings from the study indicated that religious organizations such as that of the Hisbah play a significant role in the fight against substance abuse. The study recommended that religious organisations should be co-opted into mainstream government policies in the fight against drug and substance use.