1.0   INTRODUCTION:

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Drug abuse is a matter of grave concern to educational stakeholders, medical practitioners, sociologists, religious leaders, counselors and parents. It is a national and international sensitive challenge that needs urgent attention due to the alarming rate of involvement of the youth. Adewuya (2005) noted that alcohol is most widely used among young people. West and Graham (2005) also agreed that students, as a subset of the youth population, consume large quantities of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Ajake, Isangedihi and Bisong (2009) posited that premarital sexual practices and drug abuse constitute social ills that have been age-long problems in the secondary school system.

Ajayi and Ekundayo (2010) equally confirmed that drug abuse has been identified as a serious constraint to effective teaching and learning process in the Nigerian educational system. Drug abuse, according to Ajayi and Ayodele (2002), is the wrong use or inappropriate use of chemical substances that are capable of changing functions of cells in the body. Bayer, as cited in Egbochuku and Akerele (2007), saw stimulants, which are substances that cause an increase in the activity of an organ in the body, as chemicals that excite certain activities of the central nervous system.

Ajayi and Ekundayo (2010) also saw drug abuse as over-dependence and misuse of one particular drug with or without a prior medical diagnosis from qualified health practitioners. They further identified dangerous drugs like cocaine, Indian hemp (marijuana), morphine, heroin, tobacco, ephedrine, valium five and Chinese capsules as few among the drugs commonly abused by youths. Oshodi, Aina and Onajole (2010) reported that, despite worldwide concern and education about psychoactive substances, many adolescents have limited awareness of their adverse consequences. They further explained that curiosity, social pressure and peer group influence are noted to be primary reasons for substance misuse. Makanjuola, Daramola and Obembe (2007), Aina and Olorunsola (2008), and Buddy (2009) lamented that a substantial percentage of the national budgetary allocation is utilized for treatment and rehabilitation of people with substance use problems in Nigeria.

It has been noticed overtime that university students engage in frequent and hazardous alcohol consumption and drug abuse (Gill, 2002; Heather et al., 2011; Webb et al., 1996). However, a cause for concern is that this pattern of hazardous drinking is elevated among those participating in sports (Leichliter et al., 1998; Partington et al., 2013; Wechsler et al., 1997).

For example, Leichliter et al. (1998) found that college athletes were more likely to consume a significantly greater number of drinks per week than non-sporting college students and, consequently, reported elevated rates of alcohol-related problems.

Moreover, studies suggest that as athletic involvement increases, so does the likelihood of heavy drinking (Andes et al., 2012; Hildebrand et al., 2001; Kwan et al., 2014), and that hazardous consumption continues after individuals no longer participate in sports (Cadigan et al., 2013; Green et al., 2014).

More than a third of U.K. university students are involved with a sports club or organization, and with participation figures rising (Sport England, 2014), the mechanisms underpinning sports and alcohol use warrant better elucidation.

Research examining this prevailing link between sports participation and hazardous alcohol consumption suggests that the socio-cultural motives for engaging in sports-related drinking may be particularly important (Martens et al., 2006a; Zhou & Heim, 2014). For example, sportspeople often describe the culture of consumption in place to celebrate (or commiserate) sporting outcomes (Collins & Vamplew, 2002) and how drinking is perceived to be important for team cohesion (Zhou et al., 2014).

However, there is a paucity of research that identifies the underlying psychological processes that elucidate the link between these social factors and actual drinking behaviors (Green et al., 2014; Zhou & Heim, 2014).

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

Through discussion, interviews write up and research findings; it has been a known fact that there has been a world explosion of alcoholic and drug addiction for more than a decade. However, in Nigeria, drugs are freely available and therefore, open to abuse. Abuse of drugs has become a cankerworm that seems to have eaten deeply into the fabrics of students in university which may later result to lack of concentration and focus in school, lack of respect for the lecturers as well as truancy and more so, this can possibly affect the society as a whole cause of the unexpected havoc that might happen due to their presence around the community.

Finally, several research has been carried out on the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in ukhuokhuo secondary school in uhunmwode local government area of Edo state but not even a single research has been carried out on the prevalence of alcoholic and drug abuse and its effects on participation in both competition and recreational sports among IBB  university Lapai students.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

        The main aim of the study is to examine the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse and its effects on participation in both competition and recreational sports. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. to determine the causative factors of alcohol and drug abuse and its possible effects on the participation of both competitive and recreational sports.
2. to determine the extent to which alcohol and drug abuse affects the participation of both competitive and recreational sports.
3. to determine the effect of alcohol and drug abuse on both competitive and recreational sports among IBB university Lapai students.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the causative factors of alcohol and drug abuse and its possible effects on the participation of both competitive and recreational sports?
2. What is the extent to which alcohol and drug abuse affects the participation of both competitive and recreational sports?

3.     What is the effect of alcohol and drug abuse on both competitive and recreational sports among IBB university Lapai students?

4.     What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

HO:   Alcoholic and drug abuse has no significant effect on the participation of both competitive and recreational sports.

HI:    Alcoholic and drug abuse has a significant effect on the participation of both competitive and recreational sports.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The study on the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse and its effects on participation in both competitive and recreational sports will be of immense benefit to the entire IBB university Lapai students in the sense that to a large extent it will help the government and health organisation to be able to have laudable health objectives towards the eradication of alcohol and drugs abuse among the students in the university.  It will also enable health organisations to make sure that student are given the necessary knowledge about the use of alcohols and drug in order to develop good characters and be disciplined ambassador in future.

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

        The study on the prevalence of alcoholic and drug abuse and its effects on participation in both competitive and recreational sports is limited to IBB university Lapai students.

1.8   LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Prevalence      The fact or condition of being prevalent; commonness.

Alcohol    (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is the ingredient found in beer, wine and spirits that causes drunkenness.

Drug Abuse     Is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. 

Effect      a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Participation The action of taking part in something.

Competitive    Relating to or characterized by competition.

Recreational   Relating to or denoting activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.