ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of pupils in some selected primary schools in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. Literature was reviewed on the related subheadings based on the variables of study. The descriptive design was adopted. The data was collected through questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by the use of percentage. The research findings revealed that peer pressure, depression, Biological factor and Psychological factor were the major cause of drug abuse and addiction in Nigeria. It was recommended that Government should prevent the cultivation/sales of Indian Helm and other deadly herbs that encourage drug abuse. Also that Government should strictly enforce its existing laws against drug abuse through its regulatory agencies. And Parents and managers should Endeavour to monitor their children and wards so that they do not engage in drug abuse.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Drug abuse is the taking of drugs or a deliberate use of drugs for purposes other than its intended purpose without the supervision of a physician or a medical practitioner while drug addiction is the continuous uncontrolled, compulsive use of a drug not only to include intoxication but also to avoid the tortures of withdrawal. Despite the unrelenting effort of individuals, agencies, mass media and the government at different levels against drug abuse, the prevalent practice among Post-Primary school students, Tertiary Institution, teenagers and even adults in the community has not decreased but rather continued to increase geometrically.
According to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Report (2005), about 200 million people, or 5 percent of the world’s population age between 15 and 65 have used drugs at least once in the last 12 months. Likewise, according to the World Drug (2005) reported that, the use of illicit drugs in all Nations has increased in recent years. The report goes on to note that the increasing availability of a variety of drugs to an ever widening socio-economic spectrum of consumers is disconcerting, although the main problem at the global level continues to be opiates (notably heroine) followed by cocaine. For most of Europe and Asia, opiates accounted for 62 percent of all drug treatment sought in 2003. While 3.3 to 4.1 percent of the global population admits to consuming drugs, the most worrisome trend for the UNDCP Executive Director is the younger and ages at which people are becoming addicted. In Pakistan for example, the share of those who started heroine use at 15-20 years of age has doubled to almost 24 percent. A survey in the Czech Republic showed that 37 percent of new drug users were teenagers between 15 and 19 years old. In Egypt, drug use in particular heroin use - is becoming a serious problem and nearly 6 percent of secondary and tertiary school students admit to having experimented with drugs
The youths in Nigeria like many other countries of the world are developing addiction to psychoactive substances. In 2012, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) collected drugs use and abuse data from schools, records of patients admitted at mental health institutions for drug related problems and interview of persons arrested for drug offences. The result showed that youths constitute the high risk group for drug trafficking and abuse. Friends and school mates account for about 90% of the source of influence of the use and abuse of various psychoactive substances. In Nigeria, alcohol and cigarette are legal but these substances have also said to be “gateway drugs” to other more potent drugs like heroin and cocaine. Drug abuse/addiction has gone a long way to create several health problems and dangers in our societies. Such health problems include mental illness, cancer of the lungs, school drop-outs, and juvenile delinquency.
In some primary schools in Nigeria, consumption of drugs on school environment is very common; student take these drug to give them boldness to chase the opposite sex which most of them cannot ordinarily do without the use of some drugs, the timid types purposely take some drugs especially during social gathering to enable them fell on top.
Odejide (2014) observed that the reasons advanced by the students for taking drug are: to feel on top like adults, to feel good, to get excited, to be like friends and to be like stars. The abuse of these drugs which leads to addiction among these students gradually progresses to affect their academic performance and cause a host of evil happenings on the campus and in our society, such as incessant occurrence of road traffic accidents as a result of effects of these substances, in fact some students indulge in exam-malpractices while others breakdown during examinations leading to failure and eventual drop-outs, some become rude and arrogant to lecturers and parents and occasionally causing riots and chaos on the campuses while some grow up to become criminal in the society leading them into prison-yards. However, the main objective of the work is to study the causes, effects of drug abuse and addiction on the academic performances of students in Nigeria.
Consequently the study shall make sound recommendation that will improve the academic performances of the student in the study Area.
Statement of the Problem
Nigeria as a County has experienced rapid growth of population in recent years; the increasing demand for education has led to more schools being formed. Due to the rapid development, drug use has become common among students in campus and is even affecting their performances in class. Despite the worldwide concern and education about the dangers of drug abuse, most of the students have limited knowledge of how dangerous the habit is (Ngesu, 2008). Many students have dropped out of school and others opted to engage in criminal activities thus endangering the lives of the people in the Country, The young generation no longer has role models since most of the young Adults are unemployed and under the influence of this drugs.
Despite the government’s concern and heightened campaigns against the vice among high school students, there exists a parallel accelerated rate of students who are illicit drug users. Although, students are expected to be aware of the effects of drug abuse and commit themselves to their studies, the habit still exist default of their prior expected awareness of its consequences.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of pupils in some selected primary schools in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Specifically the objectives are to examine the:
i. To determine the extent to which drug abuse Influences Student’s Academic Performance in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State
ii. Examine the main causes of drug abuse among students in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State
iii. To examine the major ways in which drug abuse can be curb
Research Questions
The following research questions were raised to guide the study:
i. What are the extent to which drug abuse Influences Student’s Academic Performance in Etsako West
ii. What are the main causes of drug abuse among students in Etsako West?
iii. What are the major ways in which drug abuse can be curb in Etsako West?
Significant of the study
This research will be of utmost benefits to students, teachers, Government and stake holder as it serves as a blue print in curtailing the consumption of drugs in the campus. Moreso, the paper will be relevant to those who will want to carry out a similar research topic as it has contributed to the existing literature.
Finally, the paper will be relevance to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other relevant bodies in combating drug abuse and addiction in Nigeria.
Scope of the Study
This work is limited to only primary schools in Etsako West Local Government Area. The study examined the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of pupils in some selected primary schools in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Limitations of the Study
Exploring the possible confounds and conducting a thorough investigation into the construct validity of information given by respondents will be difficult and would require additional research. This research could perhaps assume a qualitative nature, and might probe people’s concepts about personality resilience, comprehensibility, manageability and so on.
Interviews and panel discussions with people from the local community, local government and the administration may help but in spite getting a research permit and letters of introduction from relevant government authorities and schools, suspicion of the area of research would also likely to cause unnecessary delays. Drug abuse is sensitive and many people may withhold vital information.
Definition of Significant Terms
Academic Performance: The extent to which a student has achieved his or her educational goals.
Drug: Any product other than food or water that affects the way people feel, think, see, and behave. It is a substance that due to its chemical nature affects physical, mental and emotional functioning.
Drug Abuse: The use of drugs for purposes other than medical reasons, thus affecting the individual in a negative way socially, cognitively or physically
Influence: the power to change or affect someone, the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen.
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