Drug Abuse Among Adolescent
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objectives of this study are to:
- Find out why young people take dangerous drugs.
- Identity the factors contributing to the use of these drugs.
- To assess the effects of drug abuse in the body.
- To identity social and psychological problems relating to drug abuse.
- To see how possible solutions and remedies could be provided to these nagging problems.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED AND RELEVANT LITERATURE
Introduction
Some people are more vulnerable to this process than others, due to a range of possible risk factors. Stressful early life experiences such as being abused or suffering other forms of trauma are one important risk factor. Adolescents with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse are more likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorders. Many other risk factors, including genetic vulnerability, prenatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs, lack of parental supervision or monitoring, and association with drug-using peers also play an important role.
At the same time, a wide range of genetic and environmental influences that promote strong psychosocial development and resilience may work to balance or counteract risk factors, making it ultimately hard to predict which individuals will develop substance use disorders and which won’t.
Yes. Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among daily users (to 25–50 percent).32 Thus, many of the nearly 7 percent of high-school seniors who (according to annual survey data)33 report smoking marijuana daily or almost daily are well on their way to addiction, if not already addicted, and may be functioning at a sub-optimal level in their schoolwork and in other areas of their lives.
Long-term marijuana users who try to quit report withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to stay off the drug. Behavioral interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Contingency Management (providing tangible incentives to patients who remain drug-free) have proven to be effective in treating marijuana addiction (see descriptions of these treatments). Although no medications are currently available to treat marijuana addiction, it is possible that medications to ease marijuana withdrawal, block its intoxicating effects, and prevent relapse may emerge from recent discoveries about the workings of the endocannabinoid system, a signaling system in the body and brain that uses chemicals related to the active ingredients in marijuana.
Legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use and for medicinal purposes is currently the subject of much public debate. Whatever the outcome, public health experts are worried about use increasing among adolescents, since marijuana use as a teen may harm the developing brain, lower IQ, and seriously impair the ability to drive safely, especially when combined with alcohol.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The research method used for this study is descriptive survey. The comparative analysis was achieved by means of utilizing t-test statistic for the comparison of mean scores at 0.05 level of significance while, the responses questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation.
Population and sample of the study
The population of the study include both male and female Parents Umuagwu. The schools were selected because its saves the researcher time and convenes the parents at the same time. A total population of the study was 183 Adults from Umuagwu. A simple random sampling technique was used to draw 112 Adults.
Instrumentation
The instrument used for this investigation was Likert scale which is an interval scale-ranging from strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree, with quantitative values ranging from 4 – 1 point. The instrument used to collect data is titled “Role of Women in Community Development‟ (RWCD). The instrument (RWCD) consists of thirty (13) statements or items. A weighted average of 2.5 was accepted for research question.
Validation of the Instrument
The instrument was validated by the project supervisor who is an Expert in Measurement and Evaluation. The supervisor ascertained the face and content validity. The reliability of the instrument was determined through test – retest method, using Pearson’s Moment Correlation. A reliability coefficient of 0.88 was obtained for the study.
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.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 122 (one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 122 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
It is important to reiterate that the objective of this study was to evaluate Drug Abuse among Adolescent. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in evaluating Drug Abuse among Adolescent.
SUMMARY
This study was undertaken evaluate Drug Abuse among Adolescent. The study opened with chapter one where the statement of the problem was clearly defined. The study objectives and research hypotheses were defined and formulated respectively. The study reviewed related and relevant literatures. The chapter two gave the conceptual framework, empirical and theoretical studies. The third chapter described the methodology employed by the researcher in collecting both the primary and the secondary data. The research method employed here is the descriptive survey method. The study analyzed and presented the data collected in tables and tested the hypotheses using the t-test statistical tool. While the fifth chapter gives the study summary and conclusion.
CONCLUSIONS
The abuse of alcohol and drugs has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality among adolescents worldwide. Many of these youth will lose their lives to drugs and alcohol and a significant number are likely to grow up to become problem drug users. Although, the substance abuse problem is complex and large in magnitude, there is a substantial amount of evidence-based research available to physicians, community leaders and schools to implement interventions that can decrease adolescent substance abuse rates. Because this issue is not peculiar to any one community or culture, we recognize that individual interventions may not be universally effective. Therefore, we emphasize the NIDA strategy of targeting modifiable risk factors and enhancing protective factors through family, school and community prevention programmes, as a generalized framework for healthcare and community activists to use when researching programmes and strategies best suited for their own community.
RECOMMENDATION
The following counselling strategies are suggested to help reduce drug abuse among adolescents.
Establishment of Family Education on Drugs
The family is the nucleus of the social organization. Parents should give their children appropriate education on drug use. They should be encouraged by health authorities to offer family education on drug abuse to their children. They should inform them of the dangers of drug abuse and dependence on their health, society and the nation.
Establishment of Counseling Centres for Drug Control
Counselling centers should be established in every community by the government or private individuals. Qualified health counsellor should be employed in helping drug addicts or those dependent on drugs by giving them special advice on how to go about the withdrawal system.
Designing Curricula on Drug Education
Ministry of education (State and Federal) should as matters of urgency add to the curricula- drug education at all levels of education. Campaign against Drug Abuse: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should intensify their campaigns on antidrug in order to have a drug free society. The campaign against use of certain drugs and misuse of drugs should be more intensified at the secondary school level because it is the peak of adolescent. Also, government and other relevant authorities should lunch out campaigns against drug abuse as well as dependence.
Effective study Habit for Students
An effective study is that which centers on a well-planned scheme of study involving sufficient recreational activities, enough resting time and sleep. Thus, such well-planned time table of study habits that make adequate provision for rest will enhance good study habit without necessary resorting to the use of drugs to keep students artificially awake.
Establishment of Drug Awareness Units
Drug awareness units to be set up in all states and moderated by the federal state and local governments. It should not be a panel established to try people who use drugs as criminals, but to help solve their socio-psychological problem.
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