Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Its Effect Among Secondary School Students
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This work is an attempt to study the effect of drug abuse among youths and the role of parents and teachers using students in secondary schools in Benin City, Edo State as a case study. This research finding may apply to other primary and post primary institutions in Nigeria. Purpose of this study therefore is to determine the existing finding of other studies like mine.
- To examine the causes of drug abuse among secondary school students
- To determine the effects of drug abuse among secondary school students
- To ascertain if there is any significant difference in the causes of drug abuse between the male and female students
- To ascertain the relationship between drug abuse and drug addiction on academic performance of students in secondary school.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Since the early times, herbs, leaves and plants have been use to heal and control diseases. The use of drugs in itself does not constitute any danger, because drugs correctly administered have been a blessing. Falco (1988) as cited by Sambo (2008) viewed that “chronic use of substances can cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage to adolescent’s physical and psychological development. The use of drugs could be beneficial or harmful depending on the mode of use. A drug refers to a substance that could bring about a change in the biological function through its chemical actions (Okoye, 2001). It is also considered as a substance that modifies perceptions, cognition, mood, behaviour and general body functions (Balogun, 2006). They could thus, be considered as chemical modifiers of the living tissues that could bring about physiological and behavioural changes (Nnachi, 2007). Drug abuse is a major public health problem all over the world (UNODC) (2005). The use and abuse of drugs by adolescents have become one of the most disturbing health related phenomena in Nigeria and other parts of the world (NDLEA; 1997).Several school going adolescents experience mental health programme, either temporarily or for a long period of time. Some become insane, maladjusted to school situations and eventually drop out of school. According to Fawa (2003), “Drug is defined as any substance, which is used for treatment or prevention of a disease in man and animals. Drug alters the body functions either positively or otherwise depending on the body composition of the user, the type of drug used, the amount used and whether used singly or with other drugs at the same time”. NAFDAC (2000) as cited by Haladu (2003) explained the term drug abuse as excessive and persistent self-administration of a drug without regard to the medically or culturally accepted patterns. It could also be viewed as the use of a drug to the extent that it interferes with the health and social function of an individual. World Book Encyclopedia (2004) defined drug abuse as the non-medical use of a drug that interferes with a healthy and productive life Manbe (2008) defined drug abuse as the excessive, maladaptive or addictive use of drugs for non-medical purpose. Abdulahi (2009) viewed drug abuse as the use of drugs to the extent that interferes with the health and social function of an individual. In essence, drug abuse may be defined as the arbitrary overdependence or mis-use of one particular drug with or without a prior medical diagnosis from qualified health practitioners.
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 examine drug and alcohol abuse and its effect among secondary school students.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
- Primary source and
- Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
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 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain drug and alcohol abuse and its effects 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 made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges and causes of drug abuse and its effects among secondary school students.
SUMMARY
Factors influencing students to drug use have been identified among them parental influence: children from homes where parents take drugs tend to imitate their parents’ behavior and by modeling they also start using drugs (Ngesu, Ndiku and Masese, 2008). Children are more likely to start abusing drugs in a family if there is: lack of mutual attachment and nurturing by parents or caregivers; ineffective parenting; a chaotic home environment; lack of a significant relationship with a caring adult; and a caregiver who abuses substances, suffers from mental illness, or engages in criminal behaviour (Elizabeth, et al., 2003). The abuse of drugs and other substances by parents and other caregivers can impede bonding to the family and threaten feelings of security that children need for healthy development (Gerstein and Green 1993).
CONCLUSION
From the study findings, the researcher concludes that: On the types of drugs and substance abused by students in public day secondary schools in Nigeria, the most abused drugs are cigarettes, miraa and alcohol. This indicates that drug abuse has been prevalent in secondary schools resulting to problems that affect discipline among secondary school students. The level of student discipline in public day secondary schools in Nigeria is unsatisfactory. This has made teachers experience students’ indiscipline due to drugs and substance abuse in your school. Drug abuse is a problem that is causing serious concern to both individuals and government all over the world. The problem is prevalent among adolescents who in most cases are ignorant about the dangers inherent in drug abuse. Many of them engaged in drug abuse out of frustration, poverty, lack of parental supervision, peer influence and pleasure. However, with effective counseling program, the problems can be tackled. Therefore, from the study it was concluded that drug abuse leads to indiscipline cases among students.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The researcher recommends that government should put in place measures of limiting easy access to drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, that and sleeping pills. There is need for affirmative policy formulation to provide/encourage use of student friendly disciplinary measures like guidance and counseling by professional teacher counselor. Secondary schools should have qualified guidance and counseling teachers to help students struggling with drugs. Teachers training curriculum should be modified to incorporate school discipline studies particularly drug abuse and the Ministry of Education Science and Technology should.
REFERENCE
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