EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL

IN KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE

BY

ALHASSAN JIBRIN
NSU/SS/SOC/0074/16/17

BEING A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT

OF SOCIOLOGY AS A PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF B.SC IN SOCIOLOGY,
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES , NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY,
KEFFI.

NOVEMBER, 2019
i
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this project titled “Effect of Drug Abuse Among Students of

Secondary School in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State” meets

regulation governing the award of Bachelor of Degree in Sociology, Faculty of

Social Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

……………….…………. …………………………
Mr. Abdulkadir Zakari Date
(Project Supervisor)

……………….…………. …………………………
Dr. U. C. Osisiogu Date
(Head of Department)

…..………….…………. …………………………
External Examiner Date

ii
 DECLARATION

This project has been written by me and is the report of my research work. It has

not been presented in any previous application for Bachelor Degree. All quotations

are indicated and sources of information specifically acknowledged by means of

references.

______________________ __________________
Alhassan Jibrin Date
NSU/SS/SOC/0074/16/17

iii
 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to God Almighty whose unfathomable grace has resulted to

my success throughout my academic journey.

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My most heartfelt gratitude is to Allah (SWT) in whose hands I have submitted

my will and trust, who has provided me with opportunities, to tap my potentials to
the highest level and crowned my efforts with success.

I am greatly indebted to my Project Supervisor; Mal. Abdulkadir Zakari for taking

his time to read through the manuscript and giving me the necessary assistance,
constructive criticism, advice and guidelines to the completion of this work.

My appreciation goes to my Head of Department; Dr. U. C. Osisiogu and all my

lecturers in the Department of Sociology, specifically Dr. Usman Alh Yusuf,
Assoc. Prof. Franscis , Dr. Bilyminu. S.M, Prof. Theophilus D. Lagi, Miss. U.M
Nnabuenyi, Assoc. Prof. Umar Shehu Usman, Prof. S. S Ifah, Prof. Godswill
James, Dr. Abdullahi Idris Bashir, Dr. Danniel Ishaya, Dr. Joseph Shekwo, Mrs.
Sadi Yiga, Mr. Uju Maureen Nnareunyi, Mamman Mathew Samuel and other
lecturers from NSUK for their intellectual and moral inputs and for the service
rendered to me, may God Almighty bless you all.

Love and indebtedness goes to my parents, wife and children for their
unquantifiable love, inspiration, words of encouragement and the parental role
played towards my success in this citadel of learning! May Allah bless them all.

Finally, my special thanks to all my course mates, friends and associates class of
2019 and all those who love my way and make NSUK a memorable experience for
me. God Bless you all!

v
 ABSTRACT

The problem of drug abuse has preoccupied scholars since time immemorial. It has
become a serious problem affecting all the people of the country. Drug abuse has
led many people and especially young people into a downward spiral of
hopelessness that in some cases ends fatally. This study investigates the Effect of
Drug Abuse Among Students of Secondary School in Karu Local Government
Area of Nasarawa State. One of the major objective of this study was to
investigate the factors responsible for students involvement in drug abuse in Karu
LGA. Hence, the study adopted cognitive theory as its theoretical framework. Data
for the study were collected using a self designed questionnaire from 78
respondents who were selected randomly using a Taro Yamane formula. The data
collected were analysed using simple percentage and frequency tables. The
findings of the study revealed among other thing that drug abuse among students
have negative consequences on their social, moral and learning behaviours. The
study thereby recommends that the school administrators should be aware of all
the commonly abused drugs by students to take appropriate measure to reduce
their availability in schools’ environments.

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page - - - - - - - - i
Approval Page - - - - - -- - - ii
Declaration - - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - -- - - iv
Acknowledgements - - - - - -- - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vi
Table of Content - - - - - - - vii

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - 4
1.3 Research Questions - - - - - - - - 5
1.4 Objectives of the Study- - - - - - - - 6
1.5 Significance of the Study - - - - - - 6
1.6 Scope of the Study - - - - - - - 8
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Conceptual Review- - - - - -- - - 10
2.1.1 Concept of Drug- - - - - - - - - 10
2.1.2 Concept Drug Abuse- - - - - - - - 10
2.1.3 Historical Perspective of Drug Abuse- - - - - - 12
2.1.4 Types of Drug Abuse- - - - - - - - 13
2.2 Empirical Review - - - - - - - - - 15
2.2.1 Causes of Drug Abuse- - - - - - - - 19
2.2.2 Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse- - - - - - 24
2.2.3 Consequence of Drug Abuse- - - - - - - 25

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2.2.4 Incidence of Drug Abuse among Nigerian Students- - - - 27
2.2.5 Initiatives and Efforts of Combating Drugs Abuse - - - 29
2.3 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - 30

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Location of the study - - - - - - 33

3.2 Research Design - - - - - 34
3.3 Population of the Study - - - - - - 34
3.4 Sample Size - - - - -- - - - 34
3.5 Sampling Technique- - - - -- - - 35
3.6 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - - 35
3.7 Method of Data Analysis -- - - - - - - 35

CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data Presentation - - - - - - -- - 36

4.2 Data Analysis - - - - - - - - - 38
4.3 Discussion of Findings - - - - - - - 46

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - - 48
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 50
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - - 50
References
Appendices

viii
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

There is a growing public concern in our country, Nigeria, about involvement of

adolescents and young adult in drug abuse, which is defined as the non-medical

use of substances by human beings that may modify one or more of its functions

and may impair an individual ability to function effectively and may result in

social physical or emotional harm.

The problem of drug abuse has preoccupied scholars since time immemorial. It is

a psychosocial problem that affects every society and threatens the future of the

young people. Drug addiction has turned many young people into psychopaths,

zombies and criminals. Most teenagers and youth begin to experiment with

substances at an early age (Jaffe, 2008). In primary and secondary schools, peers

engage in organized crimes and disrupt normal academic programmes whilst in

secondary schools and most African universities, the activities of secret cults are

known to have been source of threat to lives and property (Aluede, 2000; Abudu,

2008).

Many scholars view very serious and fundamental, social problems as an area

worthy of study. The problem that pre- occupied the minds of the world leaders,

non-governmental organizations educations as well as the psychologists is the

problem of drug abuse among the secondary school students.

1
 There is a growing public concern in Nigeria about involvement of

adolescents and youths in drug abuse, which is defined as the non-medical use of

substances by human beings that may modify one or more of its functions and may

impair an individual ability to function effectively and may result in social

physical or emotional harm. While it is universally accepted that drugs can be of

tremendous benefit to man and society, it is also acknowledged that inappropriate

use of drugs can be harmful to man .The personal, social and public health

problems associated with psychoactive substance use, have continued to arouse

worldwide interest and concern. Various reports and researches conducted have

illustrated this phenomenon. Drugs/substance abuse is a world wide hazard with

dangerous complications that affect many countries around the globe, Nigeria

inclusive. The problem varies from place to place.

The African seminar on problems of drug dependence held in Lagos,

Nigeria declared that “Drug abuse and dependence producing substances are

widely prevalent in African countries have continue to increase. These problems

affect the individual, the family and the society in general. Substance abuse which

was originally conceived as the problem of a selected few is today becoming a

problem of a sizeable proportion of the world population. The problem is so grave

that it has extended beyond the usual characteristic profile of abusers being male,

adult, and urban-based to now include females, youngsters and those who live in

rural areas. Its economic effect is so devastating that it is estimated that the annual

retail cost of psychotropic substances by prescription is over two billion naira

2
while the alcoholic industry which produces over five billion gallons of alcoholic

beverages annually generate more than four billion naira from sales to a consumer

population of about 30-35 million people.

Escandon and Galvez (2006) define a drug as any substance which when

introduced into the body will alter the normal biological and psychological

functioning of the body especially the central nervous system.

According to world book Medical encyclopaedia (2006), drug abuse is the

harmful use of mind altering drugs. The term usually refers to problem with illegal

drugs, which also include harmful use of legal prescription drugs, such as in self

medication. The impact of drug abuse among youths has been a hallmark of a

morally bankrupt, decadent and wasted generation and loss of our societal values

and ideals (Mohasoa, 2010). Majority of the youths around the globe ignorantly

depend on one form of drug or the other for their various daily activities, such

drugs include: tobacco, cocaine, morphine, heroine, alcohol, ephedrine, madras,

caffeine, glue, and amphetamines among others. Madu and Matla (2003) state that

the most widely abused substances are alcohol, tobacco and cannabis because they

are in excess. Most high schools encounter problems with youth who smoke

cigarettes on the school premises. Some of these youth come to school under the

influence of liquor.

Drug abuse or substances use is now known to be a common term referred

to any use of illicit substances. Legally, the term means any use of drugs that have

been classified as illegal in a country. Medically, the term means the use of any

3
drug in a way that is harmful to the body either immediately or in the long term. It

also connotes taking drugs without medical advice. Socially, the term indicates

that the effects of the substance being used interfere with the individuals social

life. It is also defined as the use of a drug which is viewed as posing a problem by

the society concerned. Thus, drug abuse generally refers to drug use that results in

the physical, mental, emotional and social impairment of the user. Abused

substances include alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, stimulants, cannabis,

sedative-hypnotics and narcotics. These drugs or substances of abuse belong to an

heterogeneous pharmacological group and the link between them is that the

sensation of euphoria they produce and the abusers want to continue to enjoy the

effect.

The indulgence of secondary school students in Karu into the life

threatening activity over the years has been issue of great concern to the

educationist, the state government, parents and nation at large. Campaigns have

gone all nooks and crannies against illicit drug abuse in all quarters of life, but the

deviant acts increase immensely causing serious problems to the conducts and

behaviours of the students at school, home, and to the society at large.

It is against this background that this study intends to assess the effect of

drug abuse among students of secondary school in Karu Local Government Area

of Nasarawa State.

4
1.2 Statement of the Problem

Drug abuse amongst secondary school students nowadays has become a serious

problem affecting all the people of the country. Drug abuse has led many young

people in secondary school into a downward spiral of hopelessness that in some

cases ends fatally. Abuse of drugs is responsible for lost wages, destruction of

property in schools, soaring health care costs and broken families. In the recent

past, there was an outcry from educational administrators on the rate at which

young secondary school students use drugs. According to Ofulla (2009), some

48% of secondary school students in this country had abuse drugs. Many young

adolescents have access to drugs like tobacco, miraa, and others. Despite the

effort by many concerned bodies to curb this drug abuse menace, secondary

school students are still lured into drugs and alcoholism which kills and brought

their developmental potentials in question and brings forth a lot of menace in the

society such as rise in crime among other vices.

Various studies have been carried out recently under the general theme of

the abuse of drugs such by: Ngesu (2008); Maithya (2009); Ofulla (2009); Mbalu

(2012); Korir (2013); Chesang (2013); Chebukaka (2014); and Ngirachu (2014)

have been general or have failed to give detailed insights on factors influencing

secondary school students to drug abuse. These studies also included non-

schooling youth and according to the above studies and others, drug abuse

indicators continue to show an upward trend in both urban and rural areas,

especially in the use of substances such as alcohol, cannabis sativa (bhang),

5
 miraa (khat), tobacco etc, which are readily found in most places. Although the

studies attained their objectives they did not delve into the factors that influence

secondary school students to abuse drugs. There is also paucity of published

work on the effects and aftermaths of drug abuse among secondary school

students. It is based on the foregoing that this this study intended to bridge this

gap in knowledge that exists.

1.3 Research Questions

This study will attempt to answer the following questions:

i. What is the nature of drug abuse among secondary school student in Karu

Local Government Area of Nasarawa State?

ii. What are the types of drugs that are abused by students of secondary school

in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State?

iii. What are the factors responsible for involvement of secondary school

students in drug abuse in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State?

iv. What are the ways of controlling drug abuse among secondary school

students in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to effect of drug abuse by youths in secondary

schools in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Specifically, the study sought to:

i) Examine the nature of drug abuse by students of secondary schools in Karu Local

Government Area of Nasarawa State.

6
ii) Identify the types of drugs that are abused by students of secondary schools in

Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

iii) Investigate the factors responsible for the involvement secondary school students

in drug abuse in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

iv) Proffer solution on the possible ways to control drug abuse among secondary

school students in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study assessed drug abuse by students of secondary school of Karu Local

Government Area of Nasa. The study will be significant to the Nigerian

Governments, Educational Authority and other policy makers involved in

implementation of drug abuse tackling strategies. The Institutions heads and

stakeholders will use the findings as the base upon which to review factors

influencing secondary school students to drug abuse. Necessary measures

identified could be undertaken to enhance strategy formulation to counter drugs

abuse among secondary school students and Nigeria at large.

The study will help to make policy makers, school administrators and teachers

aware of the factors hindering the effectiveness of the approaches which attempt to

curb drug abuse and, where possible, create opportunities to eradicate the problem.

The proposed programme would be useful in educating all Nigerians youths and

adults, on the risks of drug consumption. Thus, this study would play an important

7
 role in reducing, or even preventing high rates of drug use and abuse among

students of secondary school.

The regulators and the policy makers can use the finding as reference for

policy guidelines on management and control of drug abuse in the country. They

will be able to use the findings of the study to formulate viable policy documents

that effectively will cope with the menace of drugs abuse in the country. Based on

the findings, recommendations are made. If followed, these recommendations

would be useful to administrators and policy makers in curbing drug abuse in

schools through improving existing educational programmes, and striving to

develop ones that are even more efficient.

The study will provide additional information into the already existing body

of literature regarding drug abuse among secondary school students. The findings

of this study will enrich existing knowledge and hence will be of interest to both

researchers and academicians who seek to explore and carry out further

investigations. It will provide basis for further research.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study will cover an assessment of the effect of drug abuse by among students

of secondary school. Hence, the study will be restricted to Karu Local Government

Area of Nasarawa State only.

Specifically, the concern of this study will include the nature of drug abuse by the

secondary school students, the types of drugs abused by the secondary school

8
students, the factors responsible for their involvement in drug abuse and the

possible ways of controlling drug abuse among secondary school students.

Time factor, financial constraints and insufficient library constitutes the major

limitations to this study.

9
 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Conceptual Review

2.1.1 Concept of Drug

Merriam-Webstar Dictionary (2019) defines drug as natural or synthetic substance

which (when taken into a living body) affects its functioning or structure, and is

used in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of a disease or relief of

discomfort. Also called legal drug or medicine. A legal or medicinal drug (such as

amphetamines), however, can be harmful and addictive if misused

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2017) defines drug as any substance

which, introduced into the living organism can modify one or more of its

functions. The presence of drugs in many civilizations goes back to time

immemorial. Greeks and Romans deified wine with the figures of Dionysus and

Bacchus, respectively. Historically, drugs have been linked to magical-religious

rituals, celebrations and social events. Gradually their use became widespread in

other contexts. Some of these substances are natural in origin, as is the case with

tobacco or cannabis. Others are the result of chemical processes carried out using

natural products, like what occurs with alcoholic beverages, which are obtained

from the fermentation or distillation of grain or fruit juice. Drugs are also

produced artificially. This is the case for drugs for psychiatric use or for synthetic

drugs.

10
 Several criteria have been used when classifying drugs. Based on compliance with

laws, drugs are classified as legal (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, coffee, hypnotics,

sedatives, inhalants, etc.) and illegal (e.g., opiates cannabis, cocaine, synthetic

drugs, hallucinogens, etc.). There has also been a differentiation between soft and

hard drugs, although currently that distinction is rarely used because of its scant

utility and the fact that it can give rise to the erroneous interpretation that so-called

soft drugs are not quite detrimental to health. Another classification criterion is

based on the effect produced in the central nervous system (CNS).

Thus, Chalout (1971) proposed a typology that distinguishes between drugs that

are depressants, stimulants and perturbers of the CNS.

The definition of drug and addictive behavior is related to other basic terms. The

first involves distinguishing between the use and abuse of a substance. Drug use is

a drug consumption that does not negatively impact health. Drug consumption

becomes abusive at the appearance of dependence, which is defined as the set of

physiological, behavioral and cognitive manifestations in which the use of a drug

is a priority for the individual. This term is usually linked to tolerance, or the need

to consume more of a substance to achieve the effects of previous consumption.

2.1.2 Concept of Drug Abuse

Okoye (2001) defined drug as a substance that could bring about a change in the

biological function through its chemical actions. It is also considered as a

11
substance that modifies perceptions, cognition, mood, behaviour and general body

functions (Balogun, 2006).

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”.

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.

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

12
 drug with or without a prior medical diagnosis from qualified health practitioners.

It can also be viewed as the unlawful overdose in the use of drugs (Katcher, 1993).

The American psychology Association (A.P.A) (1980) sees substance

abuse as a pattern of pathological use, resulting in impairment in physical ,

social and occupational functioning and lasting for at least one month. A

pattern of pathological use, resulting in impairment in physical, social and

occupational functioning and lasting for at least one month. A pattern of

pathological use involves use for pleasure and avoidance of pains and

disregard for delirious effect (temporary or permanent madness) on health

(White, 1998).

The world Head Organization (1980) said that” Drug dependence is a stage of

physical or psychic dependence on drug arising in a person following

administration of drugs on periodic or continuous basis. This is the type of

abuse that is characterized by the need for marked increased amount of

substance to achieve desirable effects and development of dysphonic reaction

following cessation or reduction in intake of the substance”

2.1.3 Historical Perspective of Drug Abuse

Since the early times, herbs, leaves and plants have been used to heal and control

diseases. The use of drugs in itself does not constitute any danger, because drugs

correctly administered have been a blessing.

Mind-altering substances have been a part of the human experience since

the beginning of civilization. Many of the psychotropic effects enjoyed by

13
recreational drug users today were sought by ancient civilizations as a means of

increasing their chances of survival (Saah, 2005).

Ancient civilizations also realized, however, that it was possible to enjoy

and become addicted to certain substances. Five thousand- year-old Egyptian

records report that individuals suffering from alcohol addiction were often cared

for in the private homes of people who provided treatment. Records from ancient

Greek and Roman sources recommended that alcoholics receive treatment in

“public or private asylums” (White, 1998).

Drug use tends to begin at early stage. Survey of rural blacks in

America reported the usage of Alcohol, tobacco , Marijuana and agarittes by

the age of ten and cocaine by the age of eleven Okwumba (1989).

Alcoholic beverages have been consumed for centuries and, in one form or

another, are intricately linked to local culture in many parts of the world. Alcohol

is a central nervous system depressant and its consumption leads to euphoria,

relaxation, and disinhibition. For that reason, its use can lead to symptoms of

psychological and physical dependence and result in development of alcohol use

disorders (AUDs) ranging from heavy drinking to alcoholism. The long-term

consequences of AUDs can have dire effects on physical health, the most severe of

which include liver failure and cancers. In addition to the physical effects, AUDs

can lead to social and behavioral changes, such as violence, aggressiveness, and

extensive risk-taking. AUDs have also been shown to negatively affect adherence

14
to medications, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), thereby exacerbating the

complications from HIV infection (White, 1998).

While addiction treatment services focused predominantly on alcohol in the

nineteenth century, there was a burgeoning interest in the treatment of other drugs

(Stolberg, 2006). It is important to note that the use of psychotropic drugs was

legal in the United States until the enactment of the Harrison Act in 1914. The

availability of drugs (especially opiates and cocaine) greatly increased during this

time period, resulting in the first drug epidemic. Physicians with experience in

treating patients with drug addictions (usually to opiates) began discussing

addiction in terms of disease rather than moral failure (White 1998).

More women than men used psychotropic drugs during this time period,

most likely because opiates were the popular treatment for “female” maladies such

as menstruation and hysteria. Opiate addicts in the nineteenth century were, more

often than not, educated white women of a higher socioeconomic status. Due to

the stigmatization of substance abusers, especially during the female-driven

temperance movement, women often hid their substance use and abuse from their

family and friends. When women did seek out treatment, the reported ailment was

usually of a physical or psychological nature (White 1998).

During the second half of the nineteenth century, several coinciding

circumstances provided the perfect milieu for the sale of “miracle cures” for

addiction. Miracle cures were usually in the form of a medication that could be

15
 taken for a short period of time for the successful treatment of alcohol (e.g.,

Mickey Finn Powders, White Star Secret Liquor Cure, and the Hay-Litchfield

Antidote), hangovers (e.g., Alka-Nox, Wink, and Sober-Up), tobacco (e.g.,

Nicotol, Tobacco Redeemer, and Gustafson’s Tobacco Remedy), or other

psychotropic substances (e.g., Mrs. Baldwin’s Home Cure for Cocaine, St. Anne’s

Morphine Cure, and Weatherby’s Opium Antidote). A variety of tonics and syrups

consisting of various mixtures of alcohol, opium, morphine, and cocaine promised

to cure any addiction in the privacy of one’s own home at a fraction of the cost of

institutional treatment (White 1998).

2.1.4 Types of Drug Abuse

In Nigeria, the most common types of abused drugs according to NAFDAC (2000)

as cited by Haladu (2003) are categorized as follows:

i. Stimulants: These are substances that directly act and stimulate the central

nervous system. Users at the initial stage experience pleasant effects such as

energy increase. The major source of these comes from caffeine substance.

ii. Hallucinogens’: These are drugs that alter the sensory processing unit in the

brain. Thus, producing distorted perception, feeling of anxiety and euphoria,

sadness and inner joy, they normally come from marijuana, LSD etc.

iii. Narcotics: These drugs relive pains, induce sleeping and they are addictive.

They are found in heroin, codeine, opium etc.

iv. Sedatives: These drugs are among the most widely used and abused. This is

largely due to the belief that they relieve stress and anxiety, and some of them

16
 induce sleep, ease tension, cause relaxation or help users to forget their

problems. They are sourced from valium, alcohol, promotazine, chloroform.

v. Miscellaneous: This is a group of volatile solvents or inhalants that provide

euphoria, emotional disinhibition and perpetual distortion of thought to the

user. The main sources are glues, spot removers, tube repair, perfumes,

chemicals etc.

vi. Tranquilizers: They are believed to produce calmness without bringing

drowsiness, they are chiefly derived from Librium, Valium etc.

2.2 Empirical Review

Several researches were conducted related to the influence of Drug Abuse on

Adolescent. The few selected and reviewed by the researcher are as follows:

Myers (2006) conducted a study which aimed at providing surveillance

information about the extent and consequences of alcohol and other drug (AOD)

use by adolescents for three sentinel sites in South Eastern Nigerian. From 1997 to

2001, data was gathered from multiple sources, including specialist treatment

centres, trauma units, school students, rave party attendees, and arrestees. Since

the start of the surveillance, an increasing proportion of South African adolescents

were using AODs. This survey points to high levels of alcohol misuse among high

school students, with alcohol being the most common substance of abuse.

Cannabis was the most frequently reported illicit drug of abuse among

adolescents.

17
 A study carried out by Mwenesi (1996) on rapid assessment of drug abuse

in Nigeria revealed that the problem of drug abuse in Nigeria is larger than

expected, having permeated all strata of society, youth and young adults being the

most affected groups. The other main findings of the study were that the abuse of

"social" (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana) and illicit (cannabis, heroin, cocaine,

mandrax) drugs was rising perceptibly, and that solvents were being increasingly

abused, and not only by the youths. The drugs are used, for example, to increase

the potency of illicit local brews. Cough mixtures have entered the list of drugs

being abused by the youth. Easy availability of dependence-producing drugs is one

of the main causes of the upward trend in drug abuse in Kenya. This study

however does not focus on drug abuse among university students which is the

focus of the present study.

In a survey conducted by NACADA team (2007) on drug abuse among the

young people aged between 10 and 24 years, significantly, it was observed that the

use of alcohol, bhang and miraa had indigenous roots. The team explored available

support and recommended interventions to prevent or treat substance abuse. The

survey team demonstrated that substance abuse was widespread, affected the youth

mostly, but also cut across all social groups; alcohol, tobacco, bhang and miraa

were the substances most often abused, and the youth were more and more

abusing imported, illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine, and mandrax. At the

same time, the survey revealed that, though evidence demonstrates that a number

18
of non-students to a large extent engaged in substance abuse, the majority of the

students who abused substances were in secondary schools and universities. Such

students who mainly come from rich or middle-class families entertained the

falsehood that substance use enabled a student study for long hours. The survey

revealed that while substance abuse by the youths ranges from the increasing use

of illegal and hard drugs to legal and soft substances, the youths mostly abuse four

substances in this order: alcohol, tobacco, bhang and inhalants (Kaguthi, 2004).

A study carried out by Ahmed (2008) on drug dependency and abuse in Nasarwa

State secondary schools in Lafia Educational Zone showed that the problem of

drug abuse is not limited to western societies and is fast becoming a big challenge

in the developing world. The study traces the use of drugs from medieval times for

religious and social purposes to the 19th Century when problems emanating from

drug abuse have become apparent. The study goes on to look at drug abuse among

secondary school students in Lafia Educational Zone and the reasons for the same,

namely easy availability of drugs, peer group pressure, age factor, curiosity,

parental influence, availability of cash and high handedness of school

administrators. This study unlike the others reviewed came up with strategies for

intervention. It also identified alcohol as the most abused drug and peer group

pressure as the main reason for abuse of alcohol. The study also investigated the

effects of drug abuse and identified some as aggressive behavior, depression and

19
anxiety, irritability, memory loss and decreased confidence among others (Ahmed,

2008).

Two studies carried out among Tertiary Institutions in Delta State found

that while up to 10% of the female students experimented with cannabis, only

male students tended to become regular users (Otieno and Ofulla, 2009). In this

study 58% of the males and 57% of the females had at sometime taken alcohol,

32% of the males and 10% of the females had at sometimes taken cannabis, and

24% of the males and 26% of the females had at sometimes in their lives taken

other drugs, that included petrol sniffing, chlordiazepoxide and other minor

tranquillizers, amphetamines and methaqualone (Haworth, 2001).).

In Adamawa, a study by Kangi (1997) noted that among the secondary

school students, 19% of the secondary school students and about 35% of the

students in tertiary institutions including the medical school smoked cigarettes.

This was attributed to a lot of tobacco products being advertised in relation to

style/fashion; and due to peer influence. The mean initiation age for smoking was

13.4 years with a range from 6 to 22 years in Jinja district (Lukwiya, 2000). In a

cross-sectional study carried out among 2789 high school students in Yola, in

2002 among 13-15 year olds it was found that 17.5% reported to have smoked

tobacco, with 37.9% (n = 148) of them trying or starting smoking before the age of

10.

20
 A preliminary survey of drug abuse was conducted among University

Students students in Bayelsa State and the results of the study confirmed that drug

abuse was quite prevalent among unit school students (Acuda, 1981). For instance,

up to 10% of students drunk alcohol more than three times a week, 16% smoked

cigarettes more than three times a week, and nearly 14% had smoked cannabis

(bhang) and 16% admitted taking other drugs especially tranquillizers in order to

feel high. The study revealed that the problem was more acute in urban schools

compared to rural schools. A cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of

smoking and to investigate factors that may influence smoking behavior in 311

secondary school students in Bayelsa found that a total of 2246 (70.1%) were ever

smokers out of which 38.6% were males and 17.9% females. In this study,

experimentation with drugs started at 5 years of age, and regular smoking at 10

years. The majority of the students 72.2% started at between age 12 and 16 years

(Kwamanga, Odhiambo, and Amukoye, 2003).

2.2.1 Causes of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is a global practice with several causes of varying origins. Any

incidence of drug abuse can be linked to either a precipitating or maintaining

factors the former factor refers to the initial and, normally, reasonable excuse for

using drugs, while the latter represents reasons for maintaining the use of drugs

which marks or leads to physical or psychological dependence on drugs .

21
 There is no simple cause of drug abuse. Must drug users started using drugs

as adolescents. Reasons for drug abused are complex. Reports noted that youth

today misuse or abused drugs because of so many reasons among which include

availability of the drugs, social pressure, peer pressure, curiosity or

experimentation, to rebel against constituted authority, for frustration, expression

of maturity, vulnerable personality, sleep inducing, to increase work output, search

for identity, religious obligations, rejection of society, ignorance of the

implications of abuse, etc.

i. Experimentation/curiosity

Curiosity/experimentation of drugs does motivate youths into drugs use. Youths

like experimenting, the first experience may produce a state of arousal such as

happiness and pleasure which in turn motivates them to continue. For many

youngsters, the desire to experiment with drugs is a passing fancy, and mature

decision eventually follows with regard to tobacco, alcohol and other substances

which are classified as drugs. Research studies have shown that since there is a

thin line between a use and misuse of drugs, individuals who lack maturity, self-

esteem, confidence and accurate information are vulnerable to abuse of drugs.

Accordingly, adolescent and young adults are most prone to drug abuse. A

survey carried out revealed that 2,660 secondary school students in Lagos state

abused drugs as early as 11 years (for prescription drugs) and 16 years (for

narcotic drugs). Among the major reasons given by the subjects for their

22
 involvement in such behavior are to feel like adults, to feel good, to get excited, to

be like their friends and to be like stars. A compiled records of Mental Health

Institutions in Nigeria found that drug abuse patients were almost within the 21-30

years age bracket. The findings of these researches, therefore, revealed that there is

a higher likelihood that a young person will abuse drugs than an older person.

ii. Peer Group Influence

Peer pressure certainly plays a major role in starting many on drugs, and the young

are especially vulnerable. Many young persons starts to use drugs through the

influence of their friends. Such persons continue to use drugs in order to fit into

the group. This practices is particularly common among students, interaction with

a member of peer group who engages in drug influences all the group members

because of the socio-cultural process, in which experienced users essentially

“teach” new users what to anticipate, how to interpret the effects, what effects to

enjoy and what effect to reinforce. The idea that a person experiences when

misusing a particular drug is influenced by his or her expectation about the drug

effects and by who is present in the drug-taking setting. Studies points out that

30% of students reported that they had received a lot of pressure from mates to

drink a beer. Two types of peer influence have been identified to make students

vulnerable to the risk for substance use. The first is the desire to be popular and to

fit in, this internalized peer pressure was found to be less of a risk factor than the

external peer pressure of actually being urged or pressured by peers to act in a

23
 certain ways, such as participating in substance use. Another study found that

Negative peer relationship problems as measured by peer rejection, social

isolation, perceived social incompetence at younger age, predispose to drug abuse.

iii. Availability of Drugs

In many countries drugs have dropped in price as supplies have increase. This

makes drugs relatively available to get. If drugs are readily available in a

community, youth will have easy access to them and will invariably used and

abuse them. Alcohol and tobacco are good examples of drugs that are readily

available and widely used and abused in Nigeria because of their social

acceptance. And now the relative ease with which youths are able to obtain all

forms of drugs including illicit ones (cannabis, heroin and cocaine) is another

factor. Enthusiastic prescription of drugs such as sedatives, tranquilizers,

stimulants and narcotics by physicians has been described as instrumental to drug

abuse. In a related development, the easiness with which drugs can be obtained

and the relative tolerance of drug abuse by community, religions or political

leaders have been identified as serious causes of drug abuse in schools and outside

the schools. in many countries in the world today.

iv. Mental/Emotional/Personal Factors

Many youth that abuse drugs appear to have personality disorder before taking

drugs as shown by poor school record, truancy, delinquency and dropout. Such

24
 drug abusers often seem to be without resources to cope with the challenges of day

to day life; they are inconsistent in their feelings and critical of society and

authority. Some drug abusers give a history of mental illness or personality

disorder in the family.

Studies found a higher risk for those children with a mental disorder to

progress from experimentation into problematic usage of substance than those in a

community, Hospital records from different psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria

revealed that drug abusers were mostly youth (58%) within the 21 – 30 year age

bracket, majority of them (91%) were males and were single (58%) and 17% were

students.

v. Social and Environmental Influence

The environment where drug abuse is rampant as well as the category of people

who engage in drug abuse strongly influences youth to engage in such activities.

The news media also play an important role in introducing and maintaining drug

abuse among students. Advertisements and exotic films demonstrate messages that

success in both work, sport, leisure is facilitated through the chemistry of drug,

and that drugs are effective instruments for success, improving mood and creating

euphoria. Unpleasant socio-economic situation and repressive leadership at school

or national level have also been marked as contributing factors in the spread of

drug abuse among students. The victims have the impression that taking drugs will

ward off their misery, show their anger and frustration or challenge any repressive

25
 tendency. The gains of modern communication and transportation are obvious

factors that contribute significantly to the precipitation and maintenance of the

monstrous act of drug abuse. The ease and speed with which drugs and

information about them (for example indication, dosage, side effects) is

disseminated across the world targeted countries, and the rapid socio cultural

changes taking place especially in the third world countries have been identified as

an enabling condition for the spread of drug abuse. This is most relevant to tertiary

institutions which are mostly hit hardest by such changes.

The increasing economic deterioration in Nigerian, leading to poverty,

unemployment and disempowerment of the poor have contributed to the problem

of drug abuse. This situation has been aggravated by the lack of skills and

opportunities for training and retraining, and the lack of committed actions to

promote job creation by government, private and community entrepreneurs.

Frustration arising from these problems leads to recourse to drug to temporary

remove the effect of frustration and problems arising from it.

vi. Family Influence

The family personality patterns, their parenting and socio-economic status tends to

influence the culture of drug abuse among youth. Studies have showed that

families that witnessed excessive punishment, brutality, incessant harassment,

matrimonial divorce/conflict, lack of adequate parental care and love tend to drive

youths to seek refuge in drug. The family’s hold on youths has become loose these

26
 days as a result of growing poverty and continuous quest for material gains. In

Nigeria toady, like in most developing countries, life is a constant struggle to

obtain even the basic essentials of life and many parents have no time to supervise

their children’s activities both at home and in school. Studies have showed that

youth from less intact families (single parent household, single parent with

multiple partners, drug/alcohol dependence in a family member) have higher rates

of substance abuse. It was found that sons of alcohol parent have 25% chance of

becoming alcoholic themselves.

2.2.2 Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse

According to Adolescents Health Information Project AHIP (2001) the following

are signs and symptoms of drug abuse. They are:

a. Signs of Drug Used and Drug Paraphernalia

i. Possession of drug related paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling paper, small

decongestant

ii. Possession of drugs, peculiar plants or bolts, seeds of leaves in ashtrays or

clothing pockets.

iii. Odour of drugs, smell of incense or other cover up scents.

b. Identification with Drug Culture

i. Drug related magazines, slogans on clothing

ii. Hostility in discussing drugs

27
 c. Signs of Physical Deterioration

i. Memory lapses, short attention span, difficulty in concentration.

ii. Poor physical coordination, slurred or incoherent speech; unhealthy

appearance, indifference to hygiene and grooming.

iii. Bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils.

d. Changes in Behaviour

i. Distinct downward performance in school or place of work.

ii. Increased absenteeism or tardiness.

iii. Chronic dishonesty, lying; cheating and stealing.

iv. Trouble with the police and other law enforcement agencies

v. Change of friends, evasiveness in talking about new ones.

vi. Increasing and inappropriate anger, hostility, irritability, sectraveness etc.

vii. Reduce motivation, energy, self-discipline, self esteem etc.

2.2.4 Consequence of Drug Abuse

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the abuse of drugs constitutes a menace to

the society, and has devastating effects on the youth. It affects their future since

they engage in the habit at a transitional period between childhood and adulthood.

Drug abuse produces negative effect on the user, his family and larger society. The

abuser faces risks that are both psychological and physiological. These risks range

from panic, irritability, depression, anxiety, psychosis, insommia, brain damage,

28
loss of motivation, lack of interest in constructive activities and even death. The

adverse consequences of drug abuse can be divided into the following categories.

Physical: Some of the effects of drugs include damage to important organs like

brain, liver, pancreases, medical conditions like hypertension, chronic cough and

above all some researches have shown that HIV infection associated with drugs

addiction is becoming a significant socio pathological problem in Nigeria and

other countries. A study on substance abuse and human immuno deficiency virus

disease among 641,086 cases of AIDS in the United States had been reported to

the Centres of Diseases Control and Prevention, of which 31.5% were associated

with illicit drug use. The sharing of needles by addicts carries the risk of direct

transmission of hepatitis B and HIV. Drug use also increase a person’s risk taking

behaviour including unsafe sexual practices.

Psychological: Drug abuse leads to depression, anxiety, dementia, Hallucination,

moodiness and aggressiveness leading to the degeneration of the individual. Such

individual with these characteristics is a waste to himself and the society at large.

Social: Socially the consequences of drug abuse to nation are quite serious. The

preponderance of youth addicts roaming the streets negatively affects the economy

as a result of low productivity and shortage of efficient manpower. Public safety is

subverted as drug addiction is leading to incitement of both sexes to prostitution

and criminal behaviour. Attempts to establish a correlation between criminal

violence and drug abuse had been made and there are claims that illicit drug users

29
 are higher in the population of criminals than non-drug user. Violence witnessed

in various communities leading to blood letting, arson, rape, stealing has a link

with drug abuse.

The human and material resources lost during such violence have their tolls on the

stability of the nation. A significant number of deaths from road accidents have

also been traced to the act of persons under the influence of drugs. Other negative

effects of drug abuse on the family and the society at large can be attributed to the

sudden increase in aggression, violence destruction, gangsters, defiance of

constituted authority, maladjustment, riots, demonstration etc. among adolescent

and young adult, it therefore becomes imperative to put machineries in place to

control the menace of drug abuse.

2.2.5 Incidence of Drug Abuse among Nigerian Students

Students, especially those in secondary and tertiary Institutions tend to see the

drug user as one who is tough, bold and strong. Many youngsters have been

known to use drugs at the instance of peers, elders or siblings. Students who

usually feel inadequate have been known to use drugs to achieve social

acceptance. Esen (1979) stated that Nigerian secondary school adolescents under

the influence of Indian hemp shed all inhibitions and produce behaviour that is

inconsistent with school discipline. He went further to observe that the increasing

incidence of drug abuse among secondary school students is a contributory factor

in the ugly confrontation between school administration and students.

30
Ubom, (2004); Obiamaka, (2004); Okorodudu and Okorodudu, (2004) in their

research work indicated that the problem of drug abuse know no boundaries or

social class. It impedes the development of any society as it is a threat to life,

health, dignity and prosperity of all individuals.

Fayombo and Aremu (2000) in their research on the effect of drug abuse on

educational performance of some adolescent drug abusers in Ibadan found that the

misuse of marijuana had reached an epidemic level in the present Nigeria society,

and that drug abuse could lead to reduce academic achievement or even halt one’s

entire academic process. Adesina, (1975); Ekpo, (1981); and Orubu, (1983) in

their studies dwelled extensively on reasons students use drugs include success in

examination, social acceptance and initiation of peers.

Olatunde (1979) states that Nigerian adolescents take drugs such as

amphetamines and pro-plus as aid for success in examination. He postulated that

those who take drugs as aid for studies toward examinations are those with poor

academic records, a history of instability and family/social problems, while others,

he commended; use rugs to increase their self confidence, heighten pleasure, cope

with feelings of depression and inadequacy, and to facilitate communication.

Idowu (1987) found that students smoke and use drugs at the instance of

friends/peers, parents and television/radio advertisements. Oladele, (1989);

Okorodudu and Okorodudu (2004); and Enakpoya (2009) in their studies showed

that adolescents were very susceptible to the influence of their peers.

31
 Osikoya and Ali (2006) asserted that socially, a drug abuser is always pre-

occupied with how to obtain drug of choice and crave for the substance. Kobiowu

(2006) study revealed that the academic pursuits of those undergraduates who

engages in drug misuse is not unduly jeopardized, and that the abusers do not

socialize extraordinarily, contrary to seemingly popular expectation.

Studies by Okoh (1978), Oduaran (1979) and Johnson (1979) exhibit a

plethora of purposes for which students use drug. The list includes curiousity,

boldness, friends-do-it, enjoyment of social gathering, academic pressure, sound-

sleep, sexual-prowess, and performance in sports.

2.2.6 Initiatives and Efforts of Combating Drugs Abuse

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been providing assistance in the

systematic collection of this information and meaningful utilization of these data

in prevention treatment programmes for some years. These publications reviewed

drug epidemiology methods in general and that use of these methods in some

specific populations. They described how these methods can be used to collect

information necessary for the planning, implementation and evaluation of

prevention and treatment programmes.

Since the publication of the guidelines in the early 1980’s there have been

important changes in trends and patterns of drug use, which present new

challenges to public health practitioners and program planners. The International

32
Narcotics Control Board (INCB), an arm of the United Nations, has remarked that

the abuse of a variety of drugs/psychoactive substances, alcohol, sedative-

hypnotics, stimulants, and other dependence producing drugs remain at a high

level in most parts of the world today.

The board further noted that the health hazards are even being aggravated

by the simultaneous consumption of two or more drugs frequently in combination

with alcohol and by the use of more dangerous means of drug use, some remain

occasional users while others become dependent on the drugs.

In Nigeria the efforts, to curb and check drug abuse and drug trafficking came with

the establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in

1989. It has become the most effective organ for handling drug problems in

Nigeria. The NDLEA was established by Decree 48 of 1989 and is responsible, on

behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, for the prevention of illicit

cultivation, production, manufacture and illicit trafficking and the use of drugs in

accordance with article 9 of the UN single convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961,

as amended by the 1972 protocol.

The major objectives of the Agency include focused on enlightenment

campaign about the dangers of drug abuse and drug trafficking, drug counselling

and law enforcement to help the prosecution of drug offenders and their sponsors.

The Law Enforcement Wing of the NDLEA has the onerous task of monitoring

the demand for the supply of illicit drugs, their production, trafficking and abuse at

33
 the national, subregional and regional levels. The NDLEA has been serving the

nation diligently, especially in recent times. Nigeria, through the activities of the

NDLEA, expanded her drug control programmes by increasing her zonal

commands from 12 to 20 and the area commands and field posts from 56 to 99.

2.3 Theoretical Framework

Several theories could be used in explaining the relationship between youth and

drug abuse. This study however will anchor on the following theories, they are:

i. Cognitive Theory

ii. Theory of Social Learning

i. Cognitive Theory

The cognitive theories of drug abuse have focused on people’s expectation for

the influence of drug they believed about the appropriateness of using drugs to

cope with distress (Marl, Baer, Donovan and Kiviahan, 1988) people who

expect drug to reduce their distress and who do not have other more adaptive

means of coping available to (such as problem solving or turning to others for

support) are more likely than others to partake in drug when they are upset and

more likely to have social problems related to drug use. For example, one study

found that both men and women who believed that drug helped them relax,

awake and handle stress better and tended to cope with stressful situations with

avoidance rather than problem solving (cooper, Russel, Skinner Frone, and

Muder, 1992). Use for non-medical reasons or when they are not physiological

or pharmacologically necessary or taken only for pleasure or alteration of

34
 mood, keeping awake when driving, over speed when driving. Hobson (999)

stressed that drug abuse is the self-administration of excessive drugs leading to

tolerance, mental confusion, the impairment of the ability ‘o drive a vehicle,

impaired reaction time, and poor speed control and symptoms of abnormal

behavior by the substance user.

On the basis of this theory, we could understand that those who abuse drugs do

that in order to alter their mood especially when they do not have other adptive

means, such as when they are upset.

ii. Theory of Social Learning

Social learning theory explained those behaviours that are controlled by

environmental influences rather than by innate or internal forces. The leading

exponent of the concept of social learning, often called modeling, is the American

psychologist Albert Bandura (1977), who was undertaking innumerable studies

showing that when people watch others they learn many forms of behaviour, such

as sharing, aggression, cooperation, social interaction, and delay of gratification.

On the bases of this model, it could be explained that in Bandura’s classic study

of imitation learning, students who saw a model abusing drugs and be praised as

strong people in the campus tends to imitate them or those who saw the model

neither rewarded nor punished. Psychologists following Bandura stated that social

learning based on observation is a complex process that involves 3 stages;

Exposure to the responses of others; acquisition of what an individual sees; and

subsequent acceptance of the modeled acts as guide for one individual.

35
In this context, social learning theory explains people contact with drug abuse in

terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and

environmental influences. This study adopted a cognitive theory which recognized

those who abuse drugs with intimate desire to alter their mood.

36
 CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODS

3.1 Location of the study

Karu Local Local Government is of one the 13 Local government of Nasarawa

State situated as the Western Zone of the State. It is among the oldest local

government in Nasarawa State established in 1996 by the then head of State,

Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim.

Karu is a Local Government Area in Nasarawa state, Nigeria. It shares its western

boundary with the federal capital territory of Nigeria, its southern boundary with

the Nasarawa Local Government Area, its eastern boundary with the Keffi Local

Government Area and its northern boundary with Kaduna state.It has an area of

2,640km2 with a population of 205,477. It is the second most populated Local

Government Area in Nasarawa state after Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

KaruLocal Government headquarter is in the town of Karu.

It has an area of 40,000 hectares (400km2) and a population of 2 million..

- The Principal town in Karu –NewNyanya, Mararaba, NewKaru, Ado and Masaka.

- Urban density 500km2 (1,000/ square)

It is one of the fastest growing urban area in the world with a growth rate of 40

percent recorded annually. It consists of town that developed as a result of urban

sprawl from Abuja.

37
3.2 Research Design

The research is a survey study, which is descriptive in nature. The study adopted

the descriptive research design, which is appropriate in attitudinal studies as this.

This method, as Okoro (2001) notes, selects and studies samples drawn from the

population to discover the relative incidence, distribution and inter-relations of

sociological and psychological variables. Since this study is an audience research

necessitating opinions, attitudes, motivations and individualistic consideration, the

descriptive survey method was considered most appropriate for the work.

3.3 Population of the Study

The study will focus on secondary school youths in Karu. Based on survey made

by the researcher, the total population of secondary school youths in Karu 21,000.

3.4 Sample Size

Sample size refers to a set of people selected to represent the whole. Using the
sample size calculation formula of Taro Yamane (1967), the sample size for this
study is derived as follows:
N
x=
1+ N ( e ) 2
Where x = Sample size
N = the total population
e = Margin of error (0.05)
Thus, the sample size is as follows:
21000
x=
1+21000 ( 0.05 ) 2
21000
x=
1+21000 ( 0.0025 )
21000
=392.5
53.5

38
 Due to some limitations, the respondents will only cover 20% of 392

undergraduate students which is 392/100 x 20 = 78 approximately.

3.5 Sampling Technique

Simple random sampling technique will be adopted.

3.6 Method of Data Collection

The research will use both the primary and the secondary sources of data as the

basis for gathering information. This is to say that it will rely heavily on first hand

information from the respondents. The data will be collected through the use of

structured questionnaire. The responses collected in the questionnaire provides

information to the researcher, which is further to be used as the findings of the

study.

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

For the purpose of this study, quantitative method of data analysis will be used.

The simple percentage method will be adopted to describe and analyse the data

using percentage.

39
 CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

This chapter deals with the analysis of data collected in the course of this study.

The research instrument used was seventy eight (78) questionnaires. Each was

received back upon completion from the respondents. In analysing the data

collected, the tabular representation was used by the researcher with the respective

percentage corresponding to the view of the respondents was represented.

4.1 Data Presentation

Table 4.1: Sex Distribution of the Respondents:

Sex Frequency Percentage (%)

Male 57 74.4
Female 21 25.6
Total 78 100
(Source: Questionnaire Administered, 2019)

Table 4.1 showed the distribution of the respondents based on their sexes. 74.4%

are male, while 25.6% are female. Thus implies that male constitute the majority

in the respondents.

Table 4.2: Age of the Respondents

Ages Frequency Percentage (%)

40
 9-13 21 26.9
14-18 28 35.9
19-24 19 24.4
25 Above 10 12.8
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.2 above shows the distribution of the respondents’ age. Hence,

26.9percent are between the ages of 9-13, 35.9percent are between the ages of 14-

18 and 24.4percent are between the ages of 19-25. Meanwhile, 12.8percent are

aged 25 and above. This implies that respondents between the ages of 21-25

dominated.

Table 4.3: Religion of the Respondents

Religion Frequency Percentage (%)

Islam 44 56.4
Christian 33 42.3
Other 1 1.3
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.3 shows the religions of the respondents. 56.4percent of the respondents

are Muslim, 42.3percent are Christians. Meanwhile, 1.3percent of the respondents

practice other religion.

41
 Table 4.4: Class Distribution of the Respondents

Sex Frequency Percentage (%)

JSS1-3 21 25.6
SS1-3 57 74.4
Total 78 100
(Source: Questionnaire Administered, 2019)

Table 4.4 showed the distribution of the respondents based on classes. 25.6percent

are within JSS1-3, while 74.4percent are within SS1-3. Thus implies that SS1-3

students constitute the majority in the respondents.

4.2 Data Analysis

Table 4.5: Do you believe that drug abuse makes secondary school students
stronger than normal?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 57 73.1
No 33 26.9
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.5 shows the opinions of the respondents on whether drug abuse makes

students of secondary school stronger than normal. From the responses,

73.1percent of the respondents believed that drug abuse makes students stronger

than normal while 26.9percent on the other hand believed that drug abuse does not

make students stronger than normal. By implication, the respondents thereby

maintained that drug abuse makes students stronger than normal.

42
Table 4.6: Do you believe that drug abuse can help someone to forget his/her
problems very easily?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 49 62.8
No 29 37.2
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.6 shows the opinions of the respondents on whether drug abuse can help

someone forget his/her problems very easily. From the responses, 62.8percent of

the respondents believed that drug abuse can help someone forge this problem

easily, while 37.2percent believes that it does not. By implication, the respondents

thereby believed that drug abuse can help someone to forget his/her problems very

easily.

Table 4.7: Do you believe that drug abuse makes reading much easier?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 27 34.6
No 51 65.4
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.7 above shows the opinions of the respondents on whether drug abuse

makes reading much easier. From the responses, 34.6 percent of the respondents

believed that drug abuse makes reading much easier, while 65.4 percent believes

43
that it does not. By implication, the respondents thereby believed that drug abuse

does not make reading easier.

Table 4.8: Do you think that students’ level of concentration increases when they
take some drugs?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 20 25.6
No 58 74.4
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.8 above shows the opinions of the respondents on whether students level

of concentration increases when they take some drug. From the responses, 25.6

percent of the respondents believed that students’ level of concentration increases

when they take some drugs, while 74.4 percent believes that it does not. By

implication, the respondents thereby believed students level of concentration does

not increase when they take some drugs.

44
Table 4.9: What type of drugs are commonly abused by secondary school students
in Karu?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Codeine 25 32.1
Alcohol 11 14.1
Cannabis 16 20.5
(Igbo/wee-wee)
Tutolin 13 16.7
Cigarette 13 16.7
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.9 shows the types of drug commonly abused by secondary school students

in Karu. From the responses gathered, 32.1 percent of the respondents believed

codeine is the most commonly abused, while 14.1 percent believed is it alcohol,

20.5 percent considered Cannabis (Igbo/wee-wee) to be commonly abused.

Meanwhile, 16.7 percent believed that tutolin is commonly abused and 16.7

percent also considered cigarette to be the most commonly abused. By implication,

the respondents believed that codeine is the most commonly abused drug among

secondary students in Karu.

45
Table 4.10: Do you think negligence of parental role contributes to high rate of

Drug Abuse among students of secondary school?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 58 74.4
No 20 25.6
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.10 shows the opinions of the respondents on whether negligence of

parental role contributes to high rate of drug abuse among secondary school

students in Karu. From the responses gathered, 74.4 percent believed that

negligence of parental role contributes to high rate of drug abuse, while 25.6

percent of the respondents on the other hand believed that negligence of parental

role does not contribute high rate of drug abuse among youth. By implication, the

respondents thereby believed that negligence of parental role greatly contributes to

high rate of drug abuse.

46
Table 4.11: Do you think friends can influence secondary school students to
engage on drug abuse?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 49 62.8
No 29 37.2
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.11 shows the opinions of the respondents on whether friends can influence
secondary school students to engage on drug abuse. 62.8 percent of the
respondents maintained that friends can influence someone to engage on drug
abuse, while 37.2 percent of the respondents stressed that friends do not influence
someone to engage on drug abuse. By implication, the respondents thereby
believed that friends can influence someone to engage on drug abuse.

Table 4.12: Do you think availability of illegal drugs contributes to drug abuse among
secondary school students?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 55 70.5
No 23 29.5
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.12 shows the opinions of the respondents on whether availability of illegal

drugs contributes to drug abuse. From the responses gathered, 70.5 percent of the

respondents believed that availability of illegal drugs contributes to drug abuse,

while 29.5 percent believed that availability of illegal drugs does not contributes to

47
drug abuse. This implies that the respondents believed that availability of illegal

drugs greatly contributes to drug abuse among secondary school students.

Table 4.13: Which of these do you think is associated with secondary school
students who abuse drugs in Karu?

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

They do not like to obey School rules 25 32.1
and regulations
Have difficulties concentrating in 11 14.1
class
They do miss classes sometimes 16 20.5
They have poor academic 13 16.7
performance
They answer question irrationally 13 16.7
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.13 shows the behaviours associated with secondary school students who

abuse drugs. From the responses gathered, 32.1 percent of the respondents

believed that drug abusers do not like to obey School rules and regulations, 14.1

percent also believed that drug abusers have difficulties concentrating in class,

while 20.5 percent maintained that students who abuse drug do miss classes most

often. 16.7 percent on the other hand observed that students who abuse drug have

poor academic performance and 16.7 percent of the respondents also contend that

youth who abuse drug usually answer questions irrationally. By implication, the

48
respondents observed that students who abuse drugs in Karu do not like to obey

School rules and regulations.

Table 4.14: What is the best way to tackle the problem of drug abuse among
secondary school students

Options Frequency Percentage (%)

Regular counselling programmes 21 26.9
Improved parental role 28 35.9
Imposing strict punishement to drug 19 24.4
abusers
School authority should be very 10 12.8
vigilant
Total 78 100
(Source: Field Work, 2019)

Table 4.12 above shows the opinions of the respondents on ways to tackle the

problems of drug abuse among secondary school students. 26.9 percent of the

respondents suggested regular counseling programmes, while 35.9 percent

suggested improved in parental role. Meanwhile 24.4 percent suggested imposing

strict punishment to drug abuses and 12.8 percent on the other hand suggested that

school authority should be very vigilant about the conducts of students. By

implication, the respondents suggested that one of the way to tackle the problem of

drug abuse is improved parental role.

49
4.3 Discussion of Findings
The major findings of the study are that:

1. The study found that drug abuse makes students stronger than normal, and

students level of concentration does not increase when they take some drugs and

does not make reading easier. This goes in line with the findings of Fayombo and

Aremu (2000) whose studies revealed that drug abuse produces negative effect on

the user, his family and larger society. The abuser faces risks that are both

psychological and physiological. These risks range from panic, irritability,

depression, anxiety, psychosis, insommia, brain damage, loss of motivation, lack

of interest in constructive activities and even death.

2. This study also found that negligence of parental role greatly contributes to high

rate of drug abuse. This goes in line with the findings of Okorodudu (2004) who

contends that family personality patterns, their parenting and socio-economic

status tends to influence the culture of drug abuse among youth. Studies by

Obiamaka (2004) have also showed that families that witnessed excessive

punishment, brutality, incessant harassment, matrimonial divorce/conflict, lack of

adequate parental care and love tend to drive youths to seek refuge in drug. The

family’s hold on youths has become loose these days as a result of growing

poverty and continuous quest for material gains.

3. This study found that friends can influence someone to engage on drug abuse. This

goes in line with the findings of Haladu (2003) who confirmed that peer pressure

certainly plays a major role in starting many on drugs, and the young are

50
 especially vulnerable. Many young persons starts to use drugs through the

influence of their friends. Such persons continue to use drugs in order to fit into

the group.

4. This study also revealed that availability of illegal drugs greatly contributes to

drug abuse. This goes in line with the findings of Ubom (2004) who found that if

drugs are readily available in a community, youth will have easy access to them

and will invariably used and abuse them. He maintined that alcohol and tobacco

are good examples of drugs that are readily available and widely used and abused

in Nigeria because of their social acceptance. And now the relative ease with

which youths are able to obtain all forms of drugs including illicit ones (cannabis,

heroin and cocaine) is another factor.

51
 CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary

Drug abuse amongst secondary school students in Nigeria has become a serious

problem affecting all the people of the country. The study is aimed at investigating

the effect of drug abuse among students of secondary school in Karu Local

Government Area of Nasarawa State. The study found that that students agree that

drug and substance abuse is the use of drugs without prescription, drug abuse is

the unusual use of prescribed drugs and many students cannot read comfortably

without taking drugs. However, drugs abuse cannot help one to forget his/ her

problems very easily, drug abuse does not make an individual to think better in

class, drug abuse makes a student stronger than normal, reading does not become

much easier when they take drugs, not many students can read for longer period of

time after taking some drugs and many student’s level of concentration do not

increase when they take some drugs.

Secondly, the study concluded that students disagreed that their parents also abuse

drugs, their friends convinced them to take drugs before they are fully accepted,

people abuse drugs freely in their community of residence, drugs they abuse are

found in most shops and chemist in their area, they fear quitting drugs because of

the consequences that usually follows, nobody has ever got punished for abusing

drugs in their area, drugs help them to stay active (function well), they can drink

52
five bottles of alcohol at once and they only need the smallest quantity of the drug

to stay active.

Thirdly, the study concluded that students disagreed that codeine is available than

any other drug, Rohypnol gives the very best satisfaction hence it’s the best, the

best among the drugs to make one forgets problems is alcohol, Cannabis

(Igbo/wee-wee) is the most preferred of all drugs, Cocaine is expensive yet they

prefer it to all other drugs, Heroin intake is by no mean incomparable with other

drugs and simply the best, they combine at least two of these drugs to get high,

they take three drugs at the same time for maximum satisfaction, another

unpopular substance that can make one high is the smell of human excreta and

they sometimes use adhesives, petrol and other related substances.

Fourth, the study further concluded that students disagreed that they understand

better all topics taught after abusing drugs, that they do not like to obey school

rules and regulations; they have difficulties concentrating in class, they always talk

with confidence to their teachers and other fellow students, they do miss classes

sometimes and they answer questions irrationally.

And finally, the study concluded that students’ perception of substance abuse

among secondary school students have consequences on their learning behaviours.

Also, perceived causes and extent of drug abuse among secondary school students

have consequences on their learning behaviours.

53
5.2 Conclusion

Various consequences are likely to occur if drug abuse problem is not keenly

addressed in schools and the society at large. To prevent students from dropping

out of school and abusing drugs, their energies can be diverted towards healthier

and more useful undertakings. This can be done by using preventive interventions

designed specifically to address personal and social factors that can place students

at the risk of drug abuse. Schools therefore, can reduce these young peoples’

propensity to abuse drugs and getting into other unhealthy behaviour if the

implications of drug abuse are well understood and proper interventions put in

place.

5.3 Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, this study recommends that:

(i) Although some of the students have basically good perception about drug abuse,

but there is need for regular counselling programmes about causes of drugs and

substance abuse before getting out of hands in schools.

(ii) School administration and all stake holders involved in educational issues should

endeavour to acquaint themselves with the immediate and remote causes of drug

abuse among secondary school students as well as the extend of such abuses.

(iii) The school administrators should be aware of all the commonly abused drugs by

students to take appropriate measure to reduce their availability in schools’

environments.

54
(iv) Communities and other law enforcement agencies should organize and send a

clear and consistent message to students by developing and implementing a broad,

comprehensive approach to dealing with substance abuse.

(v) Stakeholders and school administrators should always have a more education-

oriented approach to drug prevention and the consequences of drug abuse on their

learning behaviour and the danger for their future.

55
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57
QUESTIONNAIRE ON EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF
SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA
STATE

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer all questions by ticking the right box

SECTION I: DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
1. Gender (a) Male [ ] (b) Female [ ]
2. Age (a) 18-23 [ ] (b) 24 – 29 [ ] (c) 30 – 35 (d) 36 and Above
3. Religious Affiliation (a) Muslim [ ] (b) Christain [ ] (c) Others
4. Marital status (a) Single [ ] (b) Married [ ] (c) Divorced [ ] (d) Widow [ ]

SECTION B: QUESTIONNAIRE ON EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS

OF SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF
NASARAWA STATE
1. Do you believe that drug abuse makes students stronger than normal? (a) Yes (b) No

2. Do you believe that drug abuse can help someone to forget his/her problems very easily? (a)
Yes (b) No

3. Do you believe that drug abuse makes reading much easier? (a) Yes (b) No

4. Do you think that students’ level of concentration increases when they take some drugs?
5. What type of drugs are commonly abused by secondary school students in Karu? (a) Codeine
(b) Alcohol (c)Cannabis (igbo/wee-wee) (d) Tutolin (e) Cigarette
6. Do you think negligence of parental role contributes to high rate of Drug Abuse? (a) Yes (b)
No

7. Do you think friends can influence someone engage on drug abuse? (a) Yes (b) No
8. Do you think availability of illegal drugs contributes to drug abuse? (a) Yes (b) No

9. Which is these do you think is associated with secondary school students who abuse drugs in Karu ?
(a) They do not like to obey School rules and regulations (b) Have difficulties concentrating in class
(c) They do miss classess sometimes (d) They have poor academic performance (e) They answer
question irrationally.
10. How do you think the problem of drug abuse could be tackled?
___________________________________________________________________________________

58