Evaluation of Punitive Measures Against Drug Abuse in Public Secondary Schools in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State
Chapter One
Objective of the study
- To conduct a comprehensive survey to ascertain the prevalence and patterns of drug abuse among students in public secondary schools within Calabar South LGA.
- To assess the efficacy of punitive measures such as suspension, expulsion, and involvement of law enforcement agencies in deterring drug abuse and promoting a drug-free environment in schools.
- To investigate how punitive measures related to drug abuse influence the overall school climate, including student-teacher relationships, perceptions of safety, and the learning environment.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWD OF RELATED LITERATURE
DRUG ABUSE
There is growing concern worldwide today over growing number of youths using drugs that the law does not permit or prohibit. The existence and extent of drug use has been identified as one of the greatest problems in learning institutions. This affects various aspects of learning such as student’s performance. Drugs are chemical substances that modify mental, emotional and behavioral functioning. APA (2000).
According to the World Day report (2005) the use of illicit drugs has increased throughout the recent years. The report further states that a major world trend is the increasing availability of many kinds of drugs. A report released by United Nations Drug Control Programme (2004),4.8% of the global population consume drugs, but the worrying fact is that according to United Nations Drug Control Programme executive director (2004) those hooked are the youth in China. It was reported that drug use is going up while the age of new users is going down. A survey in the Czech Republic showed that 37% of new drug users were teenagers between 15-18 years old. Drug use is particular heroine is becoming a serious problem in Egypt where around 6% of sampled secondary school students admitted to have experimented with drugs in Pakistan it was reported that the store of those who started using heroine at 15-20 years has doubled. African’s role in global drug supply chain is increasing. Already the continent is second largest region for cannabis production, trafficking and consumption accounting for 26% of global seizures of this drug in 2001, UNODC (2004).
In Kenya today, drug use has become prevalent than at any other times. NACADA (2010). Majority of the users are students in secondary schools tertiary colleges and universities. Drug use has become prevalent today than every other time in Kenya. Youths are using drugs which modify their mental, economical and behavioral functioning. In learning institutions, drug use make students to have poor concentration in class, high rate of absenteeism and failure in exams leading to poor academic performance.
A drug refers to a substance that could bring about a change in the biological function through the chemical actions (Okoye, 2001). It is also considered as a substance that modifies perceptions, cognition, mood, behavior and general body functions (Balogun 2001). They could thus be considered as chemical modifier of the living tissues that could bring
Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain. There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem has been increasing at alarming rates, especially among young adults under the age of 30. Apart from the long term damage to the body drug abuse causes, drug addicts who use needles are also at risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C infections.
Causes of drug use
Drugs of abuse are usually psychoactive drugs that are used by people for various different reasons which may include:
- Curiosity and peer pressure, especially among school children and young adults
- The use of prescription drugs that were originally intended to target pain relief may have turned into recreational use and become addictive
- Chemicals may be used as part of religious practices or rituals
- Recreational purposes
- As a means of obtaining creative inspiration
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to assessment of punitive measures mounted against drug abuse in public secondary schools in Calabar south local government area, Cross River state. selected secondary schools in Calabar form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Assessment of punitive measures mounted against drug abuse in public secondary schools in calabar south local government area, cross river state.. 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 assessment of punitive measures mounted against drug abuse in public secondary schools
Summary
This study was on assessment of punitive measures mounted against drug abuse in public secondary schools in calabar south local government area, cross river state. Three objectives were raised which included: To conduct a comprehensive survey to ascertain the prevalence and patterns of drug abuse among students in public secondary schools within Calabar South LGA, to assess the efficacy of punitive measures such as suspension, expulsion, and involvement of law enforcement agencies in deterring drug abuse and promoting a drug-free environment in schools and to investigate how punitive measures related to drug abuse influence the overall school climate, including student-teacher relationships, perceptions of safety, and the learning environment. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were selected secondary schools in Calabar. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Drug abuse is determined by the existence of risk and protective factors. The risk factors associated with drug abuse are many and which includes; lack of family and school role models, peer pressure, poor school performance, conflict between the school system and family values, easy availability of drugs, poor parenting skills, pressure to perform better in class, the media on advertisements, low self-esteem, stress to others, legalization of some drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, lack of clear school policies on drug use and abuse and relaxed school rules. Protective factors that make people less likely to abuse drugs include attachments with the family, peers and institutions, skills and performance capabilities that help people succeed in life, and availability of resources that help people meet their emotional and physical needs.
Recommendation
It is evident from the research that abuse of drugs is determined by both the existence of risk factors (e.g. availability of drugs, stress, peer pressure, media advertisements and lack of role models) and protective factors within the individuals social and physical environment (e.g. attachment with people like family members and peers, life skills, performance capabilities that help people to succeed and availability of resources). Any education programme aimed at addressing drug abuse among pupils should therefore be holistic and address both the risk and protective factors. The aim should be to strengthen the protective factors which include strong family bonding, school commitment, good role models and a strong belief in one’s own life
References
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