This study explores the interconnected dynamics of drug abuse, crime, and juvenile delinquency in Nigeria, with a focus on their implications for social work practice and policy formulation. The paper highlights how socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, family instability, and peer influence contribute to the rising prevalence of substance abuse and delinquent behaviors among Nigerian youths. Drawing on both theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence, the study underscores the cyclical relationship between drug abuse and criminality, where substance misuse serves as both a cause and a consequence of delinquent behavior. The study shows that punitive responses to these challenges remain inadequate, as they fail to address the structural inequalities and social vulnerabilities that sustain the cycle of abuse and crime. The study concludes that holistic, rehabilitative, and preventive approaches are essential for breaking this cycle. It emphasizes the critical role of social workers in prevention, rehabilitation, reintegration, and advocacy, while calling for policy reforms that prioritize youth empowerment, evidence-based interventions, and multi-sectoral collaboration. Thus, the study recommended that addressing drug abuse and juvenile delinquency in Nigeria requires a comprehensive framework that integrates social work practice with robust, youth-centered policy initiatives.
Key words: Drug abuse, crime, juvenile delinquency, social work practice and policy formulation.
