Knowledge and Perception of Drug Use and Abuse Among Secondary School Students
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
- The purpose of this study is to examine in detail the use and abuse of drugs among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
- The study also seeks to identify the most commonly abused substances and the factors that contribute to the use of these substances.
- To find out the knowledge and perception of the health risk and other implications of drug use among students.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature on knowledge and perception of drug use and abuse among secondary school students. It discusses issues arising from the topic of discuss as viewed from different perspectives, with a view of giving a theoretical and empirical foundation to the study.
THE CONCEPT OF DRUG ABUSE
According to Nyasimi (2001, p. 1) a drug is defined as any substance, solid, liquid or gas that changes the functions or structures of the body in some way. The drugs of major concern are those that affect the central nervous system, and changes a person’s way of thinking, feeling and behaviour. According to Kozikowski (1993, p.78), drug abuse means non-prescriptive use of psychoactive chemicals to alter the psychological state of individuals which results in altered functions. The World Health Organisation (W H O) defined a drug as any substance that when taken into the living organism, may modify one or more of its function. It is anything that alters the chemistry of the body or affects the mind (Welch and Wild, 1988, p. 30) while Nowlis (1975) and Dutta (1992, p. 598) defined drug abuse as a state psychic and sometimes physical, resulting from the interaction between a living organism and a drug, characterized by behaviour and other responses that always include a compulsion to take more drugs in a continuous basis. It is a substance that by its chemical nature, affects the structure or function of the living organism. Lukoff in Yambo and Acuda (1983, p. 4) suggests that sociological theories which seek to explain drug abuse behaviour are usually inspired by theories of delinquency, criminality or deviant behaviour.
According to Pudo (1998, p 14) drugs are made from plants, for example opium, bhang; animals for instance snakes; mineral resources for instance petroleum and synthetic materials. Pudo (1998) and Kigotho (1980, p. 34) added that in some schools with big plantations of sugar cane, nappier grass, flower beds, maize and coffee farms, students plant or grow illegal drugs. Some drugs look like flowers in their nature and cannot be differentiated from other trees (Chevy, 1969). Pudo (1998) asserted that students bring illegal drugs from their homes after holiday or half term or when they are dispersed for fees collection. They get them from some of the subordinate staff, for example, cooks, groundsmen, gardeners and watchmen.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to a critical analysis of knowledge and perception of drug abuse among secondary school students.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical analysis of knowledge and perception of drug use and abuse among secondary school students.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefit in addressing the challenges of drug abuse.
Summary
This study aimed at having a critical analysis of knowledge and perception of drug use and abuse among secondary school students. Three objectives were raised. These objectives include; The purpose of this study is to examine in detail the use and abuse of drugs among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, the study also seeks to identify the most commonly abused substances and the factors that contribute to the use of these substances, to find out the knowledge and perception of the health risk and other implications of drug use among students.
Conclusion
Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
Students of Oredo local government area of Edo state do not have much knowledge of the concept of drug use and abuse. Most acquired knowledge on the subject by students were from wrong sources, hence incorrect or incomplete.
Recommendation
The government agencies, especially National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other concerned organizations should intervene and engage in sensitization programmes and establish links with schools.
Teaching what constitute drug abuse and the effects of such behaviour on the individual and family should be part of the school home economic curriculum right from primary to tertiary institutions. The essence is to dispel ignorance on the part of the youths who are parents of tomorrow and encourage them to imbibe positive attitude and keep good company both at school and at home.
Parents and school teachers should make deliberate effort to instill high moral standard in their children/students and ensure they monitor or advise them on the kind of friends they should or shouldn’t hang out with in the community, as doing so will help reduce drug abuse behaviour among secondary school students.
REFERENCES
- Adam, G R & Schramareldt, J D.(1965YUnderstanding Research methods. London: Longman Inc.
- Aduda, D (1988, January 15). Rift Valley reigns Supreme in KCPE Daily Nation, p 15.
- Aduda, D (2000, July 17). Curriculum load blamed for unrest in schools. Daily Nation, p 19.
- Akala, J (2000, July 17). A long history of pupils discontent and strikes. Daily Nation, p 18. Anderson, G.( 1990).Fundamental Education Research.New York: Falmer press.
- Armond, J G.(1965). Interpreting Educational Research.London: WMC Brown Company.
- Ary, D , Jacobs, L.C.& Rozerview, A. (1972).Introduction to Research in Education. New York: Harper and Row publishers.
- Balswick, J O & Norland, J.N (1994). Social Problems: Use of Illegal Drugs. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Bookhouse.
- Barasa, L (2001, June 3) Ten students arrested over school fire. Daily Nation, p. 2 Beam, P (1974). The social Control of drugs. London: Martin Robertson
- Brown, S (1999) Understanding Youth Crime Philadelphia Open University Press.
