FACTORS INFLUENCING DRUG ABUSE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

INFLUENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of drug abuse on academic performance among students in Senior Secondary Schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A descriptive survey design and a sample size of two hundred and fifty (250) senior secondary school students were used. A self-structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.80 was established using a person product-moment correlation, and five research questions were used for the study. Two hundred and fifty (250) questionnaire forms with a return rate of 96% (240 copies) were administered. The analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics of mean and percentage and tabular illustrations where necessary to answer the research questions. The study revealed that gender, peers, family, social media and environment are determinants of drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools. The study, therefore, recommended that; Teenagers and young adults of school-going age should be taught how their gender role can influence society, parents and guardians should monitor their wards to know the kind of relationships they keep outside their homes, family members should be mindful of their behavior as well as their lifestyle as this has a great influence on their young ones, social media should be filtered before giving access to teenagers, parents and caregivers should endeavor to raise their children in an environment that does not predispose them to drugs, and the government should have a well-defined comprehensive and realistic policy on drug control then parents and school authorities should carefully warm their children against the destructive effects of drug abuse.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

Drug abuse is a disturbing public health issue in many countries of the world, it is the most serious and contagious problem that affects all countries and all levels of society (Ibrahim 2002). Drug abuse is a global problem that poses a significant danger to human lives, society and political stability and security in many countries. According to the United Nations, the use of illicit drugs among the ever-widening spectrum of consumers. The major concern now is that children appeared to be targeted as the new market for the drugs industry globally, and these drugs have overpowered quite a number of adolescents globally.

Just like any other country in the world, in Nigeria youthful behaviours that are dangerous such as drug and substance abuse are widespread to the extent they draw many concerns from the family, community, and government. Although drug use does not constitute evil, in fact, some drugs have been a medical blessing. Since time back, herbs, roots, barks, leaves have been used to relieve pain and help control diseases. History reveals that the Chinese used opium as a cure for dysentery before the 18^th century. But sadly, certain drugs that originally produced positive effects such as a sense of feeling good, elation, serenity and power have become a problem of addiction and misuse leading to a crime against society. For instance, drug abuse among primary, secondary and tertiary institutions has led to peers engaging in organized crimes and disrupts normal academic programs, secret cults which is a source of threat to lives and property and also ritual killings. Drug abuse among Nigerian students has been a feature of a morally bankrupt and wasted generation and loss of our societal values and ideals. Drug abuse threatens the security of every nation, tearing apart the societies, spawning crime, spreading diseases such as AIDS, and killing youths and the future of the country.

According to Achalu (2005), a drug is a substance that alters or affects the structure or function of a living organism. He further stressed that drug is any substance other than food that when taken into the body alters the structure or function of the body in some way. He further stated that drugs are chemicals or substances designed for the prevention or cure of disease or for the relief of pain and discomfort.

According to Achalu (2005), drug abuse can be described as the use of a drug to the extent that it is physically hazardous to self or others. He also stated that drug abuse involves the taking of drugs without medical justification or the use of a drug in doses resulting in danger to the user. Moronkola (2003), stated that drug abuse refers to a situation when a drug is taken more than it is prescribed.

The use of the drug has been identified as one of the greatest problems in schools. This affects various aspects of learning such as students’ discipline and interest in learning hence affecting academic performance. Drug use among secondary school students results in students earning low grades, doing poorly on a test, missing class and falling behind in academic performance. Even students who don’t use drugs may suffer academically as a result of their peers taking drugs because while taking care of friends on drugs end up being victims of assault which can affect the school work of students who don’t use the drug. These consequences can have dramatic end results where students drop out of school because drugs interfere with their academic.

Majority of the Nigerian adolescents ignorantly or deliberately depend on one form of drug or the other for their various daily activities (social, educational, political and moral among others). Such drugs include tobacco, Indian hemp, cocaine, morphine, heroine, alcohol, ephedrine, caffeine, glue, barbiturates, and amphetamines. Other drugs that they abuse include panadol, benylin, tramadol, burukutu or local beer, cigarette, and beer. Drug abuse among secondary school students in Nigeria has continued unabated, thereby creating a problem not only to academic activities but the social and emotional problem for both the student and the society because they have become a burden upon their families and the society. Drug abuse behavior adversely affects academic performance, inability to build or maintain a satisfactory interpersonal relationship with peers, pervasive mood of unhappiness and fears associated with personal or poor academic performance.

Research has indicated that drug abuse behavior among secondary school students has its roots in the pre-teenage years and is further amplified in the teenage years when most youths are in secondary schools. These pre-teenage and teenage years are critical in the human life cycle as they involve a transition from childhood to adulthood. These young people find themselves in a challenging position as they strive to prepare themselves both physically and intellectually for adult life and at the same time search for personal identity. During this stage, lots of experimentation takes place.

1.2   Statement of the problem

Drug abuse is a global problem that affects all countries of the world including Nigeria. Despite the worldwide concern and education about the dangers of drug abuse, most students have limited knowledge about the dangers of drug abuse which has affected them in several ways including academically, socially, and even psychologically.

If this issue of drug abuse in Nigeria is not properly tackled the nation will suffer its negative effects tomorrow, because these children are the future leaders, so there is a need to look for a lasting solution.

It is on this backdrop that this study sought to find out the relationship between academic performance and the use of drugs among senior secondary school students in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State, the reasons why these children at this young age resort to drug use, what influences them to do so, and how to help them get rid of the behavior.

1.3   Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to identify the influence of drug abuse on academic performance among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State. Specifically, this study intends to:

1. ascertain if gender is a contributory factor to drug abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
2. determine if peers act as a factor to drug abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
3. find out if a family is a contributory factor to drug abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
4. investigates if social media is a factor in drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
5. determine if the environment is a contributory factor to drug abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.

1.4   Research Questions

1. Is gender a factor that influence of Drug Abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
2. Are peers a factor that influence of Drug Abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
3. Is the family a contributory factor to Drug Abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
4. Is the social media contributory factor to Drug Abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
5. Is the environment a contributory factor to Drug Abuse among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.

1.5   Significance of the Study

First of all the findings of this study may provide vital information to government agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administrative Council (NAFDAC). The findings of this study may also be of immense benefit to relevant government and non-governmental establishments most especially those of the federal and state ministries of Health and Education as well as other cooperate organizations running Health Outfit on the need and expectation of a drug-free society.

The findings of this study may arouse the interest of legislators and top managerial staff of the Health and Education Sector in the formulation of proactive policies to develop this sector. It may also highlight the symbiotic relationship existing between the Health and Education Sectors.

Also, this study could contribute to the limited body of knowledge regarding drug abuse and misuse among young people.

Finally, the findings may also stimulate new areas for further research in this subject area.

1.6   Delimitation of the Study

The study will be delimited to the following:

1. Influence of drug abuse on academic performance among students in a senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
2. Descriptive survey research design
3. Students of selected senior secondary school in Obio/Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State.
4. Simple Random Sampling Technique
5. A self-structured questionnaire will be used as an instrument for data collection
6. A descriptive statistic of frequency count to describe the demographic data of respondents and research questions. While Chi-square will be used to analyze the hypotheses at a 0.5 level of significance.