PREVALANCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

Drug abuse continues to be a major social problem among University undergraduates students, with physical and mental health complications. Despite the known risks that are associated with drugs abuse, students continue using these drugs. This research study reveals the prevalence of drug abuse amongst student in University of Benin, the study aimed specifically to identify common types of drugs abused by the students, to explore causes of drug abuse among students in the University of Benin, to investigate into the effects of drug abuse on student academic performance. The Differential Association Theory by Edwin Sutherland guided this study, whereas questionnaires were used to collect information from respondent. Targeted population of the respondents was 200 of which Department of Economics and Statistics contributed a sample size of 40 respondents, Department of Political Science contributed a sample size of 40 respondents, Department of Social Work contributed a sample size of 40 respondents, and Department of Sociology and Anthropology contributed a sample size of 40 respondents and Department of Geography also contributed 40. Therefore, the sample sizes for the study were 200 respondents.

Finally, quantitative information was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer program. Furthermore the findings showed that majority of students abuse drug due to peer influence, academic related problems and one of the major reasons for drug abuse among the students was to be appreciated by friends and alcohol was said to be the most frequently abused drug followed by marijuana and cigarette. Addition to that, the rate of school or class attendance for students who involved in consumption of drugs was observed to be poor hence lead to low in academic performance. The study recommended for initiation of comprehensive programmes that may engage the youth within schools more active rather than being idle such as tree planting among and engaging in extra curriculum activities such as sports.