Drug market risk environment and navigational strategies of street-level dealers in Nigeria

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21605138
AutoresEdiomo‐ubong E Nelson (0000-0002-2555-1824, Global Drug Policy Observatory, Swansea University, autor de correspondencia), Macpherson Uchenna Nnam (0000-0001-7299-0160, Directorate of Research Development and Innovation, Walter Sisulu University), Olayinka Modupe Onayemi (0000-0003-0930-6789, Bowen University), Olayinka Onayemi (Sociology Programme, Bowen University)
Año2025
Volumen32
Número6
Páginas681-690
Fecha de publicación2025-11-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaDrugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09687637.2024.2402255
OpenAlexW4402456083
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas61

Background Researchers have investigated drug market risks and navigational strategies of drug dealers in western societies. Less is known about this phenomenon in Africa. This study explores drug market risk environment and navigational strategies of street drug dealers in Nigeria.Methods The study uses qualitative data from in-depth interviews with street-level dealers (n = 31) recruited through snowball sampling in Uyo, Nigeria. Thematic analysis of transcripts generated three major themes (‘policing,’ ‘rivalry’ and ‘indiscretion’) as risk factors for police harassment, arrest and violence.Results Accounts identified policing, rivalry between drug dealers and indiscretion (e.g., exchanging drugs for potentially stolen items) as risk factors for police harassments, arrest and violence. Drug dealers navigate risks in different ways, including through bribing police officers, using police proxies in partisan negotiation of drug market conflicts, and non-exchange of drugs for potentially stolen items.Conclusion The findings underscore an ecological view of drug market risks where factors operating at different levels interact to shape risks, with policing featuring as an overarching macro-level risk factor. The failure of law enforcement to absolutely deter drug selling due to dealer’s navigational strategies such as informal privatization of police, indicates a need for alternative approaches to controlling street-level drug markets

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