ABSTRACT
The study was to investigate the knowledge and perception of drug abuse among secondary school students in Ovia North East LGA, Edo State. Four research questions were raised to guide the researcher. Various literatures were reviewed to the study.
Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study were 100 students from 4 secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. They were selected by systematic sampling technique. The study utilized a validated questionnaire that was designed by the researcher.
From the data collected in the study, the knowledge and perception of drug use and abuse include; family background contribute to drug use among secondary school students, personal factors influence drug use and abuse among student, environmental factors influencing drug abuse among secondary school. Following the findings from this research, it was revealed that among adolescents, substance abuse occurs as part of a cluster of problems and risk-taking behaviors, social competencies, parenting, abuse/neglect, and peer behaviour. It was therefore recommended that social environment should be created which would discourage drug abuse, with the schools educating student on the dangers of drug abuse and the value of life and The schools and country governments should create and promote-alcohol free events for students, support students club and organizations that are substance free create and promote service learning and volunteer opportunities, require community service work as part of the academic curriculum and promote consumption of non-alcoholic beverages and food at events.
