THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

1.1 Introduction

Drug substance abuse has been a scourge to the overall sustainable development of the nation. Substance abuse is a serious issue; a global and international issue particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Drug substance abuse has become a global concern in Nigeria because of its effect on youth and the nation as a whole. Drug substance abuse has a negative impact on the education of undergraduates in different schools across the globe. Drug substance abuse is also a major public health, social and individual problem and is seen as an aggravating factor for economic crises; hence, for Nigeria’s poverty status. The overall health of the user is affected negatively and behaviours associated with drug substance abuse predispose the abuser to crime and contagious diseases including HIV/AIDS (Center for Disease Control, 2000).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The use of drugs dates back into the pre-history of man. Such drugs were used to relieve pain or cure and control diseases (Curew and Dibal, 1999). Drugs as defined by the World Health Organization (1967) is any substance which taken by living organisms may modify the functions of living organism. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC, 1999), stated that situations of ill-health provide the compelling need for drugs that is in order to modify the functions of the body and restore it to life. However, the major issue with drugs is not in its use for curative purposes but in the abuse and misuse of these drugs especially when these drugs are psychoactive drugs.

The consumption level of hard drugs has risen sharply in Nigeria within the last two decades. Such drugs like heroine, cocaine, cannabis and even alcohol have in recent times become so easily accessible by individuals of much cancer is the high prevalence of the use of these drugs among adolescents. Adolescents use drugs for several reasons among which are, for experimentation, mere fun and excitement, peer pressure, to get over depression and other psychological problems, etc.

However, the use of these drugs among young people has so much effect on individuals, families and the society at large. The problems range from social, psychological, economical and even political problems. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know The Impact of Socio-cultural Practice on Substance Abuse Among Senior Secondary School Students.

1.3 Statement of Problems

The use of hard drugs including alcohol and cigarette is a major source of health and psychological problems among adults and young people in both developed and developing countries, including Nigeria. It is generally believed that most people who use these substances often begin at an early age and may continue throughout life.

Adolescent stage is usually viewed as a period of experimentation where young people seek to go beyond the protective shelter of adults thus involving in activities that are often detrimental to their health and well-being, such as the use of drugs. Despite hazards and other implications of drug use and use of these substances among young people, this study therefore seeks to find out the factors that contribute to this and proffer solution to address these issues.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Socio-cultural Practice on Substance Abuse Among Senior Secondary School Students in Comprehensive Secondary School. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To find out the knowledge and perception of the health risk and other implications of drug use among students;
2. To examine the influence of drug substance abuse on students’ academic performance among secondary school students;
3. To recommend strategies of addressing problems of drugs abuse among secondary school students; and
4. To identify the most commonly abused substances and the factors that contribute to the use of these substances.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are students aware of the implications of drug substance abuse?
• Does awareness of health risk associated with hard drugs influence its use by students involved in secondary school students?
• What substances are commonly abused by students in secondary school students?
• What factors influence the use of drugs among students in secondary school students?
• What is the influence of drug substance abuse on students’ academic performance among secondary school students?
• What is the knowledge and perception of the health risk and other implications of drug use among students?
• What are the most commonly abused substances and the factors that contribute to the use of these substances?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant relationship between the reasons given for abusing drugs and academic performance of secondary school students.
• H1: There is significant relationship between the reasons given for abusing drugs and academic performance of secondary school students.

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant relationship between the effects of drug substance abuse and academic performance of secondary school students.
• H1: There is a significant relationship between the effects of drug substance abuse and academic performance of secondary school students.

1.7 Significance of Study

It is expected that this study will make the following contributions to the advancement of drug use and abuse especially among students. It will provide necessary information and create awareness on the extent of drug use among students.

This will help parents; teachers and indeed all stakeholders to plan intervention programmes that will help solve the problem of drug use in the society. It is also expected to educate students on the implications of drug use and thus prompt them to make informed decisions on drug use.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

This scope of this research is focused on the Impact of Socio-cultural Practice on Substance Abuse Among Senior Secondary School Students in Comprehensive Secondary School using Delta Career College, Warri, Delta State as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. 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).
3. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.10 Definition of Terms

Drug: Is an illegal substance that some people take, smoke, inject e.t.c for the physical and mental effects it has.

Drug Substance Abuse: A drug is said to be abused when its use is not pharmacological or physically necessary it can also be used to describe a situation whereby the dosage of a given drug is exceeded by the user.