Self-acceptance, Drug Misuse, and Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Rivers
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To Find out why students misuse drugs.
- T Find out the drug mostly misuse in secondary school
- To investigate the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Drugs are substances which when introduced into the body will alter the normal biological and psychological functioning of the body, especially the central nervous system (Escandon & Galvez, 2006). The term ‘drug’ in a general sense includes all substances that can alter brain functions and create dependence. UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (2006) defines drug abuse as the self-administration of any drug in a manner that diverts from approved medical or social patterns within a given culture. Legal or licit drugs and substances are socially accepted and their use does not constitute any criminal offence. In Nigeria, these include alcohol and nicotine. Drug abuse among students is dominated by the use of these legal drugs and substances. Among the illegal drugs commonly used by students are cannabis, ecstasy, heroine, mandrax and lysergic acid diethylamide (NAFDAC, 2004). Prescription and over the counter drugs are abused when taken without the specified medical condition and/or proper prescription. Some of these drugs can be mood elevators, pain killers or antidepressants. Prescription drugs include pain killers with codeine, phenorbaritone, valium, piriton and sleep control drugs. A study by Rew (2005) found that these psychoactive substances can produce feelings of surplus energy, euphoria, stimulation, depression, relaxation, hallucinations, a temporary feeling of well being, drowsiness and sleepiness. Their misuse often leads to physical or physiological addiction. Drug abuse by students in western countries is also alarming (Portner, 1998). The United States, one of the world’s largest markets and a country that sets standards for many other countries, has experienced a notable recent increase in marijuana use. This has influenced the decisions of students from other countries in terms of drug use. Many American films and magazines with young audiences sensationalize drug use. This portrayal of drugs can be highly deceiving, making youth in America and elsewhere more vulnerable to drug addiction. A report by NAFDAC (2008) noted that the abuse of licit and illicit drugs is forming a student sub-culture in Nigeria. This development is a significant concern for Nigerian society and immediate attention is required. When a drug is abused it causes injury to the brain and often irreversible alterations in the central nervous systems. When psychoactive substances destroy several thousand neurons, the consequences are fatal and a number of students have died from drug overdoses.
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 Self acceptance, drug misuse, and academic performance of secondary school students in Rivers
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)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.
Question 1
Gender distribution of the respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Self acceptance, drug misuse, and academic performance of secondary school students in Rivers. 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 of Self acceptance, drug misuse, and academic performance of secondary school students
Summary
This study was on Self acceptance, drug misuse, and academic performance of secondary school students in Rivers. Three objectives were raised which included: To Find out why students misuse drugs, to Find out the drug mostly misuse in secondary school and to investigate the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Rivers state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made principals, vice principals administration, senior staff and junior officers were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
In this study, it was concluded that family background, family cohesion, and peer-group influence are important factors that lead to drug misuse. It was also discovered that drug abuse leads to poor student academic performance in secondary schools in Rivers state
Recommendation
Based on the findings, it is recommended that:
- Parents should try to give their children moral, spiritual, social, psychological, and financial support so as to guide them against peer and societal influences.
- Children should obey their parents and be satisfied with the little support given to them and they should also keep away from bad company. 3. Teachers should familiarize themselves with their students so they are able to discover any anti-social behaviour and provide immediate solutions to it. Guidance counselors should give necessary counseling to the drug abusers, as well as to their parents or guardians.
- Government should provide all necessary materials and equipment to make teaching and learning interesting so as to reduce anti-social behaviours in school.
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