ABSTRACT
Drug Abuse has been talked about
worldwide and Nigeria is part of that globe. Teachers, parents, church
officials and other stakeholders have been at the forefront trying to find out
the causes and ways of controlling it. Therefore, there is a need to curb this
vice. This study aimed at finding out what makes students abuse drugs and the
effects that arise out of this practice with reference to Agbede community in Lagos,
Nigeria. The study also suggested measures that can be taken to control drug
abuse. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the
extent to which parent’s sources of income influence the prevalence of drug abuse;
determine how location of schools influence the prevalence of drug abuse;
establish the extent to which school administration influences the prevalence
of drug abuse; establish how peer pressure influences abuse; investigate how
drug abuse among secondary school students determine their academic
achievement. The target population was 6 secondary schools. The sample consisted
of two hundred and sixty-eight students, six guidance and counsellingteachers
and six principals. Simple random sampling was used to select the students.
Data was collected using
questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) software programme and presented using both qualitative
and descriptive methods such as frequencies and percentages and presented as
tables and figures. It was established that most students are driven into
taking drugs by peer pressure. Poor performance is the greatest effect of drug abuse
among drug taking students. The researcher recommended that all stakeholders be
involved in curriculum review and reform to address drug abuse related issues
and guidance and counselling sessions enhanced in changing student behaviour.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION
.....................................................................................................i
DEDICATION........................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
......................................................................................iv
LIST
OF TABLES..................................................................................................ix
LIST
OF FIGURES.................................................................................................x
ABSTRACT............................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION......................................................................1
1.1
Background to the
Study......................................................................................1
1.2
Statement of the
Problem.....................................................................................3
1.3
Purpose of the
Study............................................................................................4
1.4
Objectives of the
Study........................................................................................5
1.5
Research
Questions..............................................................................................5
1.6
Significance of the Study
.....................................................................................6
1.7
Limitations of the
Study.......................................................................................6
1.8
Delimitations of the Study
...................................................................................7
1.9
Assumptions of the Study
....................................................................................7
1.10
Operational definition of
Terms.........................................................................8
CHAPTER
TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ............................. 10
2.1 Introduction
........................................................................................................
10
2.2
Drug Abuse from a Global Perspective .......................................
10
2.3
Causes and Manifestations of Drug Abuse
in Nigeria. ..........................................
15
2.4
Influence of Parental Sources of income
on Prevalence of Drug Abuse among Students ...........
2.5
Influence of Location of Schools on
Prevalence of Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students.
......................................................................... 19
2.6
Influence of School Administration on
Prevalence of Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students
.......................................................................... 21
2.7
Effects of Drugs on Individual
Students.............................................................. 22
2.7.1
Short Term Effects......................................................................................
22
2.7.2
Long Term Effects......................................................................................
22
2.8
Effects of Drug Abuse on Education
.................................................................. 24
2.9
Preventive Measures against Drug Abuse
.................... 25
CHAPTER
THREE:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................
31
3.1
Introduction
.......................................................................................................
31
3.2
Research Design
................................................................................................
31
3.3
Target Population ..............................................................................................
31
3.4
Sample Size and Sampling
Techniques.............................................................. 32
3.5
Research
Instruments.........................................................................................
32
3.6
Pilot
Study.........................................................................................................
32
3.7
Validity of the
Study..........................................................................................
33
3.8
Reliability of the Study
......................................................................................
33
3.9
Data Collection
Procedures................................................................................
34
CHAPTER
FOUR:DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
4.1
Questionnaire return Rate
..................................................................................
36
4.2
Demographic
Information..................................................................................
37
4.3
Influence of parents sources of income
on the prevalence of drug abuse among
students..............................................................................................
37
4.4
Relationship between residential areas
and drug abuse....................................... 38
4.5
Relationship between school
administration and drug abuse .............................. 39
4.6
Influence of Peer Pressure on Drug
Abuse among Secondary Students .............. 39
4.7
Effects of drugs on students and their
education................................................. 40
4.8
Learners’ awareness of the causes and
effects of drug abuse .............................. 41
4.9
Measures taken to curb Drug
Abuse............................................ 41
4.10
Teachers who have undergone in-service
training in guidance and counselling 43
4.11
Challenges encountered in curbing Drug
Abuse ........................ 43
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..
5.1
Introduction
.......................................................................................................
45
5.2
Summary of the Study
.......................................................................................
45
5.3
Summary of the Major
Findings.........................................................................
46
5.3.1.On
how parent’s sources of income influence the prevalence of drug abuse among
secondary school students............................................... 46
5.3.2 On how location of schools influence the
prevalence of drug abuse. ..................................................................................................................
46
5.3.3.
On the Extent to Which School Administration Influences the Prevalence of Drug
Abuse. ........
5.3.4
How Peer Pressure Influence Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students.............................................................................................................................
46
5.4
Conclusion.........................................................................................................
47
5.5.
Recommendations.............................................................................................
47
REFERENCES......................................................................................................
48
APPENDICES
.......................................................................................................
53
Appendix
I: Questionnaire for Students...................................................................
53
Appendix
II: Questionnaire for teachers...................................................................
57
Appendix
III: Questionnaire for
Principals.............................................................. 60
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
The term drug is defined as any
substance that when absorbed into a living organism may modify one or more of
its physiological functions. The term is generally used in reference to a
substance taken for both therapeutic purpose and abused substances (Kwamanga,
Odhiambo & Amukoye, 2003).
Drug abuse among Nigerian youth has
been a scourge to the overall sustainable development of the nation. Substance
abuse is a serious issue; a global and international issue particularly in
developing countries like Nigeria. Drug abuse is also a major public health,
social and individual problem and is seen as an aggravating factor for economic
crises; hence, for Nigeria’s poverty status. While youth are supposed to be the
major agent of change and development, some of them have been destroyed by drug
abuse (rendering them unproductive).
Drug abuse has become a global
concern in Nigeria because of its effect on youth and the nation as a whole.
Drug abuse has a negative impact on the education of secondary and undergraduates
in different schools most especially the universities across the globe. The
overall health of the user is affected negatively and behaviours associated
with drug abuse predispose the abuser to crime and contagious diseases
including HIV/AIDS (Center for Disease Control, 2000).
Trafficking of hard drugs into developing
countries has not spared Nigeria the drug consumption and dependence among
secondary and college students and has led to unrest and consequently wide ranging
destruction of life and property (Ngesu, Ndiku & Masese, 2008).
Factors influencing students to drug use have
been identified, among them parental influence, whereby it has been noted that
children from homes where parents take drugs tend to imitate their parents’
behaviors and by modeling they also start using drugs (Ngesu, et al 2008).
School factors can also influence
students to drug use (Ngesu et al: 2008). How the school administration manages
students’ affairs may lead to drug abuse, high handedness, lack of freedom and
failure to address them generally creates stress which can lead to abuse of
drugs as depressors (Kingala, 2000). Unfortunately, across all continents in
the world and throughout time, drug abuse among both the young and adult
population has manifested itself in various forms.
It appears that drug abuse affects
behavior and its effects on secondary school students whose prevalence was
assessed in this study, is a worldwide problem with no exception of Nigerian
secondary students. Use of drugs has led to many health problems in the youth,
especially among the secondary school students. The youth experience many
special problems and considerations. This is the period of adolescence which is
full of many challenges such as stress of physiological and physical change,
competition in school and life in general, generation gap, unjust and cruel
world among other problems. Psychologically, the adolescents have serious developmental
tasks to handle such as peer identification and individualization from their
family. Sexual identification; societal and vocational; role identification and
negotiating issues of authority power and independence are primary (Oketch,
2008).
A report by United Nation Drug
Control Programme (UNDCP, 1998) shows that 60% of student’s abuse drugs. A
survey by National Council Against Drug Abuse (NACADA, 2006) shows that
substance abuse is widespread. It affects the youth mostly although it cuts
across all social groups. Many young people especially the unemployed have
resulted to using drugs like heroin and cocaine which are injectables. This has
been a major contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS due to the fact that they
share syringes. Other drugs like alcohol can lead to risky sexual behavior as
they affect judgment and decision making. A drunkard is unable to assert himself
or herself especially when it comes to saying no to unprotected sex thus resulting
to exposures to sexually transmitted infections.
Research findings indicate that there
is a direct linkage between drug abuse and HIV and AIDS prevalence (NACADA,
2006). According to Siringi and Waihenya (2001), 22% of secondary school
students are on drugs and it has been found out that males have high exposure to
miraa and inhalants than females. Povertyalso encourages drug use among
students due to absenteeism and idleness (Adelekan 1998). As a result of lack
of school fees, with availability of and access to drugs in the village kiosks
the idleness may in one way or another encourage high prevalence of drug use
among students aged 14-24 years old. This study therefore investigated the
causes and effects of drug abuse among secondary school students in Agbede
community, Lagos Nigeria.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
It is evident that drug use and abuse
is still a problem in Nigerian secondary schools despite the various measures
taken to curb it. Drug abuse menace has strangled youthful population both
secondary school students and non-students reducing them to dummies, zombies
and drooling figures as well as wasting their lives at the age which they are
most needed in society (Ngesu, et al 2008). Although the youth have been
educated on the dangers of the drug abuse, most of the secondary school students
have little or no knowledge of how dangerous the vice is (Ngesu et al 2008). Although
students are expected to be aware of the effects of drug abuse and commit themselves
to their studies, the habit still exists.
Drug and substance abuse lead to many
problems in schools especially strikes which are normally experienced in
schools although many people attribute the strikes to school mocks especially
in the second term of the academic calendar. It is possible that students who
abuse drugs while in school play a big role in influencing acts like strikes as
they are under the influence of drugs.
Although several researchers have
preventive measures suggested, the researchers have not effectively led to the
desired results of curbing the menace of drug abuse in Nigerian secondary
schools. This is because apart from the youth facing a lot of challenges as
individuals, the family and society including the church and school have not
come out wholly to initiate methods of helping the youngsters.
There is always a conflict of
interest on who has the upper hand in helping the youth. It was against this
background that this study investigated the causes and effects of drug abuse
among secondary school students in Agbede community LCDA, Lagos and suggested
pragmatic measures to effectively curb this menace.
1.3 Purpose
of the Study
The purpose of this study was to
investigate the causes and effects of drug and substance abuse among the youths
of secondary school students in Agbede community LCDA, Lagos Nigeria
1.4
Objectives of the Study
The
study was guided by the following objectives: -
i) To
establish the extent to which parents’ sources of income influence the prevalence
of drug abuse among secondary school students in Agbede community
ii) To
determine how different location of schools influence the prevalence of drug
abuse among secondary school students in Agbede community
iii) To
establish the extent to which school administration influences the prevalence
of drug abuse among secondary school students in Agbede community
iv) To
establish how peer pressure influences drug abuse among secondary school
students in Agbede community
v) To
make suggestions on how Drug Abuse can be minimized.
1.5
Research Questions
This
study was guided by the following research questions: -
i) To
what extent do parents’ sources of income influence the prevalence of drug abuse
among secondary school students in Agbede community?
ii) To what extent does location of
schools influence the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students
in Agbede community?
iii) To
what extent does school administration influence the prevalence of drug abuse
among secondary school students in Agbede community?
iv) How
does peer pressure influence them on drug abuse among secondary school students
in Agbede community?
v) What measures can be taken to minimize
Drug Abuse?
1.6
Significance of the Study
This
study sought to generate useful data on the causes and impact of drugs abuse on
education in Nigeria. Therefore, the findings of this study may be useful in
several, ways:
The
Ministry of Education (MOE) may use the study findings to find out ways of
preventing drug abuse through public enlightened campaigns in schools,
promotion of awareness on the dangers of drugs and how they affect an individual,
the family and the society at large.
The
government may put in modalities of strengthening the guidance and counseling department
in schools through taking the teachers for service teacher training courses.
The
findings may also be used to advocate that campaigns against substance use should
be incorporated in schools with special focus on the adverse consequences of the
substance use.
Ultimately,
the society will benefit from the findings of this study in creating a drug
free society for social, economic and political development in line with
sustainable development goals. The school principals may assist the students in
identifying the sources of drugs so that they can take remedial measures. The guidance
and counselling departments might be strengthened through appointment of trained
and qualified counsellors to head the departments.
1.7
Limitations of the Study
The
data collection technique was mainly the use of questionnaires which were used to
obtain data from the respondents. There were chances that some respondents
might have been unwilling to respond to the questionnaires. The researcher also
narrowed down the research objectives to five factors which might, have been
conclusive evidence as there are many other factors which are beyond the
control of the researcher. Such factors may have included inadequate
rehabilitation centers, breakdown of African culture, lack of parental
influence, availability of pocket money and school related factors.
There
were a lot of funds needed to carry out a research so the researcher required a
lot of money to research on the causes and effects of drug abuse among secondary
school students in Agbede community LCDA, Lagos.
1.8
Delimitations of the Study
The
study was limited to selected public and private secondary schools in Agbede
community LCDA, Lagos.
The
findings in the study were used to generalize the percentage of students who engaged
in Drug Abuse.
1.9
Assumptions of the Study
The
study assumed that the respondents were honest, truthful and willing to give correct
answers. The reasons for students’ high prevalence of drug abuse were also stated
in the objectives of the study. Other factors had no negligible influence on
the frequency of drug abuse among students. The researcher assumed that school principals
would allow guidance and counseling teachers and students to participate and
give correct data during the research. It was also assumed that drug abuse prevails
in one way or the other in Agbede community LCDA, Lagos.
1.10 Definition of Terms
In
this study the following terms were defined as:
Drug: Refers to any chemical substance
which when taken into the body that can affect one or more of the body’s
functions.
Drug misuse: Refers to the usage of any
drug for any other purpose other than the recommended one.
Drug abuse: Refers to excessive illegal
drug use and/ or legal drug use without a doctor’s prescription.
Drug tolerance: Refers to a state of
reduced sensitivity of a drug to the body at given regular (normal) dose.
Substance abuse: Refers to harmful or
hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and other illicit
drugs to stimulate behaviour.
Drug dependence: Refers to repeated
drug taking that usually results in tolerance, withdrawal and compulsive drug
taking.
Parental influence: Refers to the role
played by parents into the students’ drug use or against it.
Peer pressure: Refers to tendency to
conform to the values and expectations of the peer group.
Adolescence: Refers to period between
childhood and adulthood and characterized by physical and emotional changes.
Adolescent: Refers to a boy or girl
between the ages of eleven and nineteen years. Also refers to as a teenager.
Legal/licit drug: Refers to a drug
socially accepted and readily available.
Prevalence: Refers to the magnitude of
drug use among a particular age population.
School administration: Refers to
managerial set ups in schools that may influence a non-drug user to start using
illegal drugs.
Drug trafficker/peddler: Refers to a
person who passes drugs to consumers.
Student: Refers to a male or female
learner in senior secondary classes in both private and public schools in Agbede
community LCDA, Lagos.
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