CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Since the early times, herbs, leaves and plants inform of drugs have been used to heal and control diseases. Plants have been utilized as medicines for thousands of years. The specific plants to be used and the methods of application for particular ailments were passed down through oral history from generation to generation (Samuelsson, 2004).

The use of drugs in itself does not constitute any danger, because drugs correctly administered have been a blessing. Falco (1988) as cited by Sambo (2008) asserts that, chronic use of substances can cause serious irreversible damage to adolescent’s physical and psychological development. The use of drugs could be beneficial or harmful depending on the mode of use.

Drug abuse is a major public health problem all over the world (UNODC, 2005). The use and abuse of drugs by adolescents have become one of the most disturbing health related phenomena in Nigeria and other parts of the world (NDLEA, 1997). Several school going adolescents experience mental health problem, either temporarily or for a long period of time. Some become insane, maladjusted to school situations and eventually drop out of school. NAFDAC, (2004) 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. Odejide, (2000) warned that drug abusers who exhibit symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, behavior changes, fatigue and loss or increase in appetite should be treated by medical experts and conusellors to save them from deadly diseases.

Education is considered as key to the development of nations since it reduces social and economic inequality is a welfare indicator and a determinant of earnings (Government of Kenya [GOK], 2005). United States of America International Development Agency (USAID, 2001), contends that educated societies are able to make critical investment that nurture social capital for sustainable development, and may not experience reduced economic growth, increased conflict, health crises and other social ills. At the individual level, education equips people with knowledge and skills, values, attitudes and aspirations that are important for personal growth (Nsubuga, 2003). It is thus essential that nations provide their citizens with quality education because, as Linah (2014) noted, it determines the character and pace of social and economic development.

The alarming evidence in the prevalence of drug abuse, the effects and consequences of substance abuse among students has called for concern and challenge to all helping professions to mount strategies of equipping youths with skills of living devoid of substance abuse. In Kwara State today, the consequences of substance use are diverse, including acute and chronic health, social as well as psychological problem. There is disruption of interpersonal relationships particularly within the family, marginalization, criminal behaviour, school failure, vocational problems and failure to achieve normal adolescent milestones, yet these adolescents are expected to be the leaders of the country in the future when they do not even have any focus for the future. Several studies carried out among the colleges of education students in Benin City by Omage and Oshiloya, (2006), Nwagwu, (1999), Fayombo, (2000) and Obianwu, (2005) found out that students and youth of easy virtue in the community are involved in cannabis abuse and stimulants such as amphetamines and cannabis. The consensus of opinion therefore seems to be that youths are also seriously involved in substance abuse. Drug abuse has become such a problem of great concern to all well meaning Nigerian and particularly the Federal Government to the extent that an Agency has been established to combat the social disease with a view to reducing the spread of drug abuse to the barest minimum or eradicating it totally.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Drug abuse has negative impact on the education of students all over the world. The overall health of the user is affected negatively and behaviours associated with drug abuse predispose the abuser to crime and contagious diseases including HIV/AIDS (Centre for Disease Control, 2000). Drug abuse has thus become a national concern in Nigeria, given its impacts on education and future leadership, innovations and human resources. Students are particularly at risk given that they are in their formative years of education, career development, social skills and identity formation.

The Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has stated that substance abuse is a major problem in schools, colleges and universities in Nigeria (NDLEA, 2013). Many of these students’ behaviors are heavily tied to the peer culture, as students learn from and imitate the peers they like and admire. Wanting to be attractive to others becomes very important in adolescence, and this factor is significant in the development of eating disorders, alcohol consumption, tobacco and drug use, tanning, not practicing safe sex, and vulnerability to injury, among other behaviour. These adolescent who get involved in such risky behaviour often have high levels of conflict with their parents and poor self control, suggesting that they engage in such behaviour to manage a stressful life. Adolescents who abused substances typically do more poorly in acadmic. Parents and peers influence adolescent drinking by influencing attitude about alcohol and by acting as role models (Taylor, 2003).On the other hand, parental deprivation due to deaths, divorces, separation or discord has also been strongly associated with drug abuse (Odejide, 1997).

Despite National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC/NDLEA and other organization-based interventions, drug abuse is on the rise with over 40% of students abusing various types of drugs (Ekpenyong, 2012). Drug abuse appears to be a well entrenched behaviour among students. Drug abuse has become a threat to the lives and success of the youth. This is evidently a source of sorrow to parents, guardians and relatives. It is also a big challenge to the whole nation. Substance and drug abuse affect academic performance and mental health, cause physiological and psychiatric disturbances and have been perceived to be the major cause in poor academic performance of students, physical health problem, poor finance, emotional problems, memory impairment, risk factor for most chronic diseases, problems with family relationships and so forth.

In the light of the above and the gaps that exist in the literature, the study will investigate the effect of drug abuse on students’ academic achievement on oral English at the senior secondary level in Uyo L.G.A

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study is aimed at investigating the relationship effect of drug abuse on students’ academic achievement on oral English.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Ascertain the causes of drug abuse among students in secondary school in Uyo.
2. Identify the type of substance abuse used among secondary school students in Uyo
3. Find out gender difference among secondary school students on substance abuse in Uyo
4. Proffer possible solutions to the menace of drug abuse among secondary school students of Uyo

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be addressed in the study:

1. What are the causes of drug abuse among students in secondary school in Uyo?
2. What are the types of substance abuse used among secondary school students in Uyo?
3. What are the gender differences among secondary school students on substance abuse in Uyo?
4. How can the menace of drug abuse among secondary school students of Uyo be solved?

1. STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

The following hypothesis will be formulated to guide the study:

H0 there is no relationship effect of drug abuse and students academic achievement on oral English at the senior secondary level

H1 there is relationship effect of drug abuse and students academic achievement on oral English at the senior secondary level

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the effects of drug abuse on students’ academic achievement on oral English at the senior secondary level cannot be over emphasize as the study will create awareness on the need to shun acts that are capable of leading to drug abuse among youths and students in Nigeria.

It will also help and be a valuable source of academic and policy material on the existing body of knowledge on the subject of drug abuse in Nigeria and its academic affect among students as other researchers can as well build and borrow a leaf from it while carrying out similar research.

The research work will also help and assist in strengthening the Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act as enshrine in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended and its recommendations if properly implemented will go a long way in curtailing the menace of drug abuse in our society.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses mainly on the effects of drug abuse on students’ academic achievement on oral English at the senior secondary level. Specifically, the interest of the study will be restricted to secondary school students in Uyo local government area, due to time and finance constraints. The focus of the study will be on the causes of drug abuse among students in secondary school in Uyo; the type of substance abuse used among secondary school students in Uyo; gender difference among secondary school students on substance abuse in Uyo; and possible solutions to the menace of drug abuse among secondary school students of Uyo.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Drug: A drug refers to a substance that could bring about a change in the biological function through its chemical actions. It is also considered as a substance that modifies perceptions, cognition, mood, behaviour and general body functions. A drug can also be defined as any substance, which is used for treatment or prevention of disease in man and animals. It also entails any licit or illicit substance that when swallowed, smoked, sniffed or injected influences the function and operation of the body and mind.

Drug Abuse: 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. It also refers to the misuse or wrong use of drugs which have adverse effects on the central nervous system, mind, mood, behaviour and personality of the individual. Also, it is the use of any drug to the point where it interferes with an individual’s health or with his economic or social adjustment. Drug abuse also involves self-administration of drug in a manner that deviates from the approved medical and social patterns within a given culture.

Academic performance: Academic performance is the outcome of education, the extent to which a student, teacher or institution have achieve their educational goal. It also describe as how well one does in school and the achievement he/she get. Poor academic performance entails bad grades while the desired academic performance is good grades.

Impact: According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary (2009) defines impact as the effect or influence that an event, situation etc, has on someone or something.

Student: According to this study, a student is any individual attending public secondary school during the year 2017.