DRUG ABUSE AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL IN IKPOBA OKHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study examined the problems of drug and substances, abuse among students in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. In the course of this study, the concept of drug substances and their abuses as well as misuse were looked into. The views of different authors about drug abuse were equally examined. The study was aimed at finding out how parents and family background, peer group, curiosity, etc contribute to drug abuse problem among youths in this area. It was discovered that because some parents especially fathers are drug addict their children fall victims of drug abuse because they want to imitate their parents. Also some children abuse drug because their parents are in pursuit of materials wealth and they neglect their children, thereby allowing them to fall into bad hands at this juncture, peer groups set in as a result of the laxity of the children because of their parent perpetual absent from him in search of wealth, this children fall into bad gang who initiate them into the act of drug use and abuse.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter One     

Introduction

Statement of problem

Purpose of study

Research question

Significance of the study

Scope of the study

Limitations of the study

Definition of terms

Chapter Two     

Review of literature

Reference

Chapter Three  

Methodology

Introduction

Population of study

Research instrument

Data analysis

Questionnaires

Chapter Four    

Analysis of data and discussion of result

Chapter Five     

Findings

Summary

Recommendations

References       

Questionnaire    

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of Study

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 has increased throughout the world, and the major world trend is the increasing availability of many kinds of drugs among ever widening spectrum of consumers. The primary concern now is that children appeared to be targeted as the new market for the drug industry globally.

In Nigeria, just as elsewhere in the world, potentially dangerous youthful behaviours such as drug and substance abuse are widespread to the extent; they drew many concerns from the society, government and other stakeholders. Although, in itself, the use of drugs does not constitute an evil; in fact, some drugs have been a medical blessing. Since time immemorial, herbs, roots, bark, leaves have been used to relieve pain and help control diseases. History tells us that the Chinese used opium as a cure for dysentery before the 18thcentury. European countries such as Britain and Holland were known to exchange opium grown in their colonies for tea and silk with China. Regrettably, certain drugs that initially produce enticing effects, such as a sense of feeling good, elation, serenity and power have evolved into a problem of addiction and misuse leading to a crime against the society. For instance, in primary schools, peers engage in organized crimes and disrupt normal academic programs. In secondary schools, the activities of secret cults are known to have been a source of a threat to lives and property. In tertiary institutions, a lot of ritual killings are taking place.

The impact of drug abuse among Nigerian students has been a feature of a morally bankrupt, corrupt and wasted generation and loss of our societal values and ideals. The situation now appears to be such that no one can argue ignorance of what is happening [5]. One cannot sit and pretend that he/she has not seen the menace of drug abuse among adolescents [7]. According to Giade [8], any nation being used by drug barons as a transit route has the potentials of becoming the abuse of a drug consumer’s country. 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.

Drug abuse is assuming an epidemic dimension. It has become one of the central issues of our time. Parents, teachers and various bodies concerned as well as government are now disturbed more than ever before by the rapid and alarming rate at which youth are being drawn into drug subculture.

According to Agubike (1990). Drug abuse is defined as “the use of drug above the prescribed dosage and for purpose other than the original prescription” drug abuse is also the use of illicit drugs, or the abuse prescription. Furthermore, drug on its own is a chemical that influence or modifies the action of body’s own chemistry, in other words, it’s any substance which when taken modifies the body function.

A case of an SSS3 student in western boys high school, Benin as an example in one of the secondary school in ikpoba okha local government area, can be used to exemplify some of the popular side effect of drug abuse this boy, as I was told by one of the teacher that he smoked Indian hemp and started behaving in almost abnormal manner. Apart from shouting on top of his voice and fighting with his classmates, the headmistress failed to bring him to order, when she tried because he bluntly refused to obey her, the boy’s refusal to ever recognize the presence of the headmistress as he boasted and beat his chest that not even God could make him stop what he was doing. It therefore took a combine effort of the policemen and other members of staff to bundle the boy away from the school.

Among other effect of drug abuse can be identified by having mental problems, trembling hands, damage of the brain and also profuse sweating and headaches. The Lagos weekend revealed that the real problem as far as drug abuse is concerned is within individual family obligation that the end of drug abuse is far from near, also the report further disclosed that two strong parent who function well with family circle can offset the many negatives encountered by their children outside.

Parent as guardian and teachers as character molder have a major role to play in the general upbringing of the child when they discover that a child is already utilizing drug they should do everything to discourage the child from consumption of drugs. Closer attention should be paid on the child’s welfare through monitoring the child’s activities and type of friend the child moves with. With the family as the launching base, the war on drug abuse could then be extended to the larger society with effective programme base upon accurate information. It will require several basic ingredients such as education of the public at large, prevention, campaign and the willingness of all to face every aspect of the problem.

1.2   Statement of Problems

The main problem of this study is to investigate the effect of drug abuse among students of secondary school in Ikpoba Okha local government area Edo state. The prevalence of drugs consumption among post primary school student are on the increase in our environment. It is reported in studies that the effect of these menace is responsible for deviant behaviour, juvenile delinquency, abscondment from school etc. This study will therefore investigate if the causes of drug abuse among student in secondary, the effect on their academic performance in school in the study area.

1.3   Objective of the Study

The objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To examine the causes of drug abuse.
2. To examine the role of parents in controlling their wards in drug abuse.
3. To determine the effects of drug abuse on the students.
4. Provide information on how on how to reduce the intake of drugs among students.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTION 

1. What are the causes of drug abuse among secondary school student in the study area?
2. What are the effects of drug abuse among secondary school students in the student’s area?
3. Why do most students abuse drug?

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

H0: There is no significant effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of secondary school students.

H1: There is a significant effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of secondary school students.

H20: The lack of parental control is not a major determinant for the abuse of drugs among senior secondary school students.

H21: The Lack of parental control is a major determinant for the abuse of drugs among senior secondary school students.

1.6   Significance of Study

The importance of carrying out this study is that it could serve as a reading text to many who want gain deeper knowledge about cause, effects and control of drug abuse. This study will encourage the people of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area to establish drug rehabilitation centers with the help of the Ministry of Health, Drug Inspection Unit (D.I.U). Above all, this piece of work will offer very useful suggestion on the impaction of drug abuse and the role family and teachers play to prevent drug abuse.

1.7   Definition of Terms 

Illicit: Not allowed by law or illegal.

Curbing: To control limit something especially something bad.

Drug-Subculture: A group of people united by a common understanding of the meaning and value of the incorporation into life of the drug in question.

1.8   Organization of the Study

The study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one deals with the study’s introduction and gives a background to the study. Chapter two reviews related and relevant literature. The chapter three gives the research methodology while the chapter four gives the study’s analysis and interpretation of data. The study concludes with chapter five which deals on the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

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