© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
Ref:221
Title
The Incidence of Drug Abuse in Selected Secondary Schools in
Ondo Town
Abstract
One hundred students selected from five secondary schools (randomly chosen in
Ondo town for the study) completed the structured questionnaires. Frequency counts
and percentages were used as analytical tools 76.7% of the senior students and 76%
of the junior students took drugs without doctors’ prescription. The drug mostly
abused was Indian hemp (abused by 66.7% of the students). The highest influence
for smoking (50%) was from peers. Government should take more serious steps
against indiscriminate and illegal sale of drugs. There should be more counseling
about drugs at home and in the school
Country
NIGERIA
Author Details
AUTHOR
Mrs
Title of author
Olarewaju
Surname
Cecilia
First Name
Adeyemi College of Education
Name of Institution
P.M.B. 520, Ondo
Address of Institution
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
E-mail address of author
Author biography
Born in Lagos 49 years ago, obtained Primary Six Leaving Certificate, WASCE,
B.Sc., M.Sc., PGDE and Diploma in Computer Studies in 1971, 1976, 1980, 1987,
2000 and 2005 respectively. Presently on Ph.D programme in Nutrition and Dietetics
at University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Category
-Consumer
-Education
-Home Economics
Theme
-Health promotion
-Peace and Human Security
-Sustainable Consumption
-UN Millennium Development Goals
Type of Contribution
-Research Paper
-Case Study
1
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
The Incidence of Drug Abuse in Selected Secondary Schools in
Ondo Town
INTRODUCTION
Drug use refers to the use of drug generally1. The use of prescribed and dispensed drugs
is referred to as drug use. Moronkola (1993)2 believed that use, misuse and abuse of drugs
are three concepts in drug issues that need proper classification. Use is a term reserved for any
purpose to which drug is taken to the body by man.
Medically drug abuse is the use of drug to an extent that it produces definite
impairment of social, psychological or physiological functioning of the user. It is the use of
illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs3. It refers to the use of a
drug for purposes for which it is not intended or using a drug in excessive quantities4. Such
drugs of abuse include tobacco, barbiturates, amphetamines and narcotics. Drug abuse entails
a strong cultural and subjective bias, depends on whether a society at a particular point in time
views the use of a particular drug as acceptable or not5. Therefore, what is regarded as normal
use as against pathological abuse varies greatly from drug, quantity, situation to situation,
culture to culture or even among subcultures of the same society.
Substance use is becoming increasingly widespread in many African countries6 ,7.
In Nigeria, industrialization and increased exposure to western life have contributed to the
spreading of substance use, with alcohol and tobacco acting as “gateways drugs” to the use of
other substances like cocaine, heroine, amphetamine, inhalants and hallucinogens8. Factors
like unhealthy family background, high social class, peer group influence, desire to remain
1
2
3
4
5
6
7.
8.
O.A. Moronkola and G.O Otinwa (1999) Essential of Human Kinetics and Health Education. Codet
Publication Ibadan Pp. 162-167
O.A. Moronkola (1993) Drug Education. Team approach is the answer Nigeria School Journal 8(1) Pp.
14-19
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001945.htm date accessed 25/5/2010.
www.netdoctor.co.uk/heath-advice/facts/drugabuse.htm-cahced date accessed 25/5/2010
O.A. Moronkola and G.O Otinwa (1999) Essential of Human Kinetics and Health Education. Codet
Publication Ibadan Pp. 162-167
M.L. Adelekan (1996) West Africa sub-region: an overview of substance abuse problems. Drugs:
Education, Prevention and Policy 3: 231-237.
M.L. Adelekan and G.V. Stimson, (1997) Problems and Prospects of Implementing harm reduction for
HIV and injecting drug use in high risk sub-Saharan African countries. Journal of Drug Use 27:97-116
L. Zhimin, Z. Weihua, L. and L.Zhi (2001). The use of psychoactive substances among adolescents in an
area in the South West of China. Addiction. 96: 247-250
2
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
aware at night, pressure to succeed in academic work, self reported poor mental health and
easy assessibility of drugs have also been implicated.9
Drug abuse among adolescents and young adults increased significantly in the United
States of America in the late 60s and early 70s. Little was known about hard drugs and their
usage in Nigeria in the 60s. However, as far back as 1973, an expatriate staff at the University
of Nigeria, Nsukka, reported a substance purported to be cocaine, which was used by some
students but the authencity of the substance was not precisely established.
There are so many reasons behind people’s misuse and abuse of drugs generally. Some
of the reasons include loneliness, curiosity, experimentation, to be bold, to be calm or relax, to
feel “okay”, peer pressure, pleasure, religious obligations, sign of maturity, state of health
etc.10.
Towers (1987)
11
is also of the opinion that ‘social pressures from peer, family and
societal role models are at the top of the list of reasons why adolescents take drugs. And that
predisposition toward rebelliousness, non conformity and independence also figure
prominently”.
Nevamdosky (1982) 12 said that students first experimented with drugs when they were
between 12 and 18 years of age. Ogunremi (1977).13 study of University undergraduates
showed that drug use often began in the latter half of a student’s secondary school education.
Nevamdosky (1982). 14 noted that it is possible that use of drugs were determined partly
by the social relationships of the user to those around him, specifically his personal friends and
class mates. For both sexes “friends at home” were twice as likely to have used cannabis as
those at school.
The school does not own the responsibility for the students’ emotional and physical
problems. However when the school is the only constant in the adolescent’s life, and when
children of all ages bring their problems (e.g. drug and alcohol) to the school environment, the
9
10
11.
12
13.
14
L. Zhimin, Z. Weihua, L. and L.Zhi (2001). The use of psychoactive substances among adolescents in an
area in the South West of China. Addiction. 96: 247-250
O.A. Moronkola and G.O Otinwa (1999) Essential of Human Kinetics and Health Education. Codet
Publication Ibadan Pp. 162-167
R.L. Towers (1987) Student Drug and Alcohol abuse. How schools can help.. National Education
Association Combat Series. Washington, D.C
J. Nevamdosky (1982). Self reported drug use among secondary schools students in two rapidly
Developing Nigerian towns. P. 21-32
O.O. Ogunremi and F.E. (1977). Abuse of Drugs among Nigerian Youths: a University experience:
African Journal of Psychiatry 3:314:107-122
J. Nevamdosky (1982). Self reported drug use among secondary schools students in two rapidly
Developing Nigerian towns. P. 21-32
3
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
school has the obligation to address these problems and try to implement change. Considering
the progressive nature of the problem and the diminishing hope for recovery as addiction
progress, interventions that can possibly prevent further damage are worth the effort’ (An
ERIC/CAPS Digest)
Bennoit Dub (2002)15stated that about 1 in 3 Americans has used marijuana at least
once and approximately 10% of the population uses it on a regular basis. Next to tobacco and
alcohol in some areas, marijuana is the most popular substance of juvenile drug use.
The question keeps coming up time and again “what is the government doing about
illegal drugs trade and use especially among the youths?”. Sam Agboifor captured
government’s non-challance about the problem late 1985. He had this to say on the cause of
dangerous drugs that flood the marker, “some of our government are more interested in raising
fund from licensing than checking and controlling people to whom licenses have been issued”.
Slowly the average Nigerian youths or students is being maimed, sentenced to a life of
delinquency, insanity, street walking and prematurely to their graves. Still nobody seems to
care. Adegoke, (1978) 16quoted the outburst of a Lagos secondary school pupil on the advice
of a psychiatrist. “Do not lecture us the evils of hemp smoking we choose to smoke hemp just
as you adults choose to smoke your cigarettes and drink your whisky”.
Other detrimental drugs commonly abused by young students include Alcohol, Valium,
Activan, Reactivan, Libium, Caffeine, LSD and Madras. The amphetamines are abused by
students who want to stay awake and study or by sportsmen. Caffeine in different forms is
taken as stimulant.
It is definite that no nation that aspires greatness will afford to fold its arms and watch
its youths being gradually destroyed. The war against drug abuse and addiction must therefore
be a collective effort, of all citizens of the nation irrespective of class or discipline to which
they belong.
15.
M.D. Bennoit Dub (2002). A review provided by Veri Med Health Care Network. Communication
Research Machines Inc. (1974) Essential of Life and Health Del Mar’ Author
16
D. B. Adegoke, (1978) Students Unrest, Muyiwa Art Printers.
4
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
Objectives
The objectives of this study are to find out
(i)
the incidence of drug abuse among secondary school students in Ondo town;
(ii)
how students get the drugs they abuse;
(iii)
whether the drugs are taken on prescription or not;
(iv)
whether they have been counseled about drugs;
(v)
where they have been counseled about drugs
(vi)
whether they smoke or not;
(vii)
who introduced them to smoking
Methodology
Research Instrument: The instrument used to carry out this study was a structured
questionnaire. The questionnaire contained two sections (A and B) and twenty questions in all.
Section A dealt with personal information like name of school, sex, age, class while Section B
contained questions on drug abuse. An attempt was made to do face validity of the
questionnaire.
Samples for the Study
Five secondary schools were randomly selected in Ondo town. Two mixed and three single
sex (2 boys only and 1 girls only). One hundred students were involved (twenty from each
school) in this study. Twenty five junior secondary school (JSS) 3 students (five from each
school) and seventy five Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1 to 3 students (fifteen from each
school) were randomly selected.
Collection of Data
Questionnaires were used to collect all needed data for this study.
Data Analysis
The results were analyzed using frequency and percentages
5
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
Results and Discussion
Table 1: Occurrence of Drug Abuse
RESPONSE
JUNIOR
SENIOR
STUDENTS
STUDENTS
ALL STUDENTS
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
7
28
16
21.3 23
23
When the doctors says I 6
24
10
13.3 16
16
12
13
17.3 16
16
When I think I am ill
Frequency
%
should take it
When my mates say I should 3
take it
When I feel like taking it
5
20
16
21.3 21
21
No response
4
16
20
26.7 24
24
Total
25
100
75
100
100
100
Table 1 shows that 24% of the Junior students took drugs on doctor’s recommendation and
76% took them without doctor’s recommendation (i.e. indulge in drug abuse). 13.3% of the
Senior students took drugs on doctors recommendation and 76.7% indulge in drug abuse. This
shows that drug abuse is prevalent among the students, and a little more among the senior
students. In a study on substance use among secondary students in Lagos,Nigeria,17
Table 2: Smoking Habit of Students
RESPONSE
JUNIOR
SENIOR
STUDENTS
STUDENTS
ALL STUDENTS
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
Frequency
Yes, I do smoke
9
36
32
42.7 41
41
No, I do not smoke
16
64
43
57.3 59
59
Total
25
100
75
100
100
100
%
Table 2 shows that 36% of the Junior Students smoked while 64% did not. Also 42.7% of the
Senior students smoked while 57.3% did not.41% of all the students smoke while 59% do not.
17
O.Y.Oshodi,O.F.Aina,A.T.Onajole 2010 Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in
Nigeria:prevalence and associated factors http://www.wfad.se/latest-news/1-articles/219
6
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
This shows that smoking is more prevalent among Senior Students. Also more students did not
engage in smoking.
Table 3: Sources of Drugs
Response
Frequency
%
Markets
7
12.73
Friends
16
29.09
Nearby chemists
24
43.64
Hospitals
8
14.54
Total
55
100
Table 3 shows that of that 55 senior students who responded to this items 43.64% and 29.09%
obtained their drugs from nearby chemist and friends respectively while 14.54% and 12.73%
obtained theirs from hospital and market respectively. This shows that more students obtained
their drugs from the chemist and friends than from the hospital and market. This also agrees
with Nevamdosky (1982)18 who reported that for both sexes most students were influenced by
their friends at home to use drugs.
Table 4: Drugs Mostly Abused
Response
Frequency
%
Cocaine
6
16.7
Indian hemp (marijuana)
24
66.7
Heroine
6
16.7
Total
36
100
Table 4 shows that of the 36 senior students who responded to this item (66.7%) abused Indian
hemp also called marijuana or cannabis. Cocaine and heroine are the least taken (16.7%) of the
respondents took each of them. Bennoit Dub (2002)19 reported that about 1 in 3 Americans has
18
J. Nevamdosky (1982). Self reported drug use among secondary schools students in two rapidly
Developing Nigerian towns. P. 21-32
19
M.D. Bennoit Dub (2002). A review provided by Veri Med Health Care Network. Communication
Research Machines Inc. (1974) Essential of Life and Health Del Mar’ Author
7
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
used marijuana at least once and approximately 10% of the population uses it on a regular
basis. Next to tobacco, and alcohol in some areas, marijuana is the most popular substances of
juvenile drug use’. A search of the internet also shows that the most widely consumed drug
worldwide is cannabis (marijuana). Three quarters of all countries reported abuse of heroine
and two thirds reported abuse of cocaine.
Table 5: Counselling About Drugs
Response
Frequency
%
Yes – at home
20
43.5
Yes – in school
16
34.8
Yes – by friends
10
21.7
TOTAL
46
100
YES
46
61.3
NO
29
38.7
TOTAL
75
100
Table 5 shows that of the senior class respondents, 61.3% had been counseled about drugs
while 38.7% had never been counseled about drugs. Of those counseled 43.5% were counseled
at home followed by 34.8% in school, and 21.7% by friends. And ERIC/CAPS Digest was of
the opinion that the school should intervene in preventing drug abuse.
Table 6: Initiation to Smoking
Response
Frequency
%
Peers
16
50.0
Myself
9
28.1
Parent
7
21.9
Total
32
100
Table 6 shows that peers’ influence was 50% while parents’ influence was 21.9%. This agrees
with Nevamdosky (1982).20 that “friends at home” were twice as likely to have used cannabis
20
J. Nevamdosky (1982). Self reported drug use among secondary schools students in two rapidly Developing
Nigerian towns. P. 21-32
8
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
as those at school. Also with Towers (1987)
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
21
who reported that ‘social pressures from peer
family and societal role models are the top of the list of reasons why adolescents take drugs’.
A high correlation has been found between parental drug use and abuse and drug abuse
patterns among their children22
Conclusion and Recommendation
This study revealed that in selected secondary schools in Ondo town:
1.
Drug abuse is more prevalent among the senior students as more senior students took
drugs without doctor’s prescription (76.7%) than the junior students (76%).
2.
Smoking is more prevalent among senior students as more senior students smoked
(42.7%) than the junior students (36%).
3.
More students obtained their drugs from the chemists and friends than from the
hospitals and markets (43.64% , 29.09%, 14.54% and 12.73% respectively)
4.
The drug mostly abused is Indian hemp (also called marijuana or cannabis) with 66.7%
of the students abusing it,
5.
Cocaine and heroine are not as abused as Indian hemp (16.7% each)
6.
More students had been counseled about drugs and most counseling was done at home
followed by school and then friends.
7.
Half of the students were influenced by their peers to smoke. The least influence was
from parents.
The government should take more serious steps against the indiscriminate and illegal
sales of drugs by pharmacists and vendors as this could be said to account for the high degree
of drug abuse in our society. In addition, there should be more counseling about drugs at home
and in the school
21
22
R.L. Towers (1987) Student Drug and Alcohol abuse. How schools can help.. National Education Association
Combat Series. Washington, D.C
D.B. Kandel and K. Yamaguchi (1985) Developmental patterns of the use of legal, illegal
and medically prescribed psychotropic drugs from adolescence to young adulthood.
9
© 2010 Cecilia Olarewaju
cecilia_abiodun@yahoo.co.uk
REFERENCES
Adegoke, D.B (1978) Students Unrest, Muyiwa Art Printers.
Adelekan,M.L (1996) West Africa sub-region: an overview of substance abuse problems.
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 3: 231-237.
Adelekan,M.L and G.V Stimson, (1997) Problems and Prospects of Implementing harm
reduction for HIV and injecting drug use in high risk sub-Saharan African countries.
Journal of Drug Use 27:97-116
Agboifor, Sam (1985). Radio Lagos “Newsmaker” Programme.
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001945.htm date accessed 25/5/2010
Kandel,D.B and Yamaguchi,K (1985) Developmental patterns of the use of legal, illegal and
medically prescribed psychotropic drugs from adolescence to young adulthood.
Moronkola,O.A (1993) Drug Education. Team approach is the answer Nigeria School Journal
8(1) Pp. 14-19
Moronkola,O.A and Otinwa,G.O (1999) Essential of Human Kinetics and Health Education.
Codet Publication Ibadan Pp. 162-167
Nevadomsky, J (1982). Self reported drug use among secondary schools students in two
rapidly Developing Nigerian towns. P. 21-32
Ogunremi,O.O and F.E. (1977). Abuse of Drugs among Nigerian Youths: a University
experience: African Journal of Psychiatry 3:314:107-122
Oshodi,O.Y,Aina,O.F ,Onajole,O.T (2010) Substance use among secondary school students in
an urban setting in Nigeria: prevalence and associated
factors.http://www.wfad.se/latest-news/1-articles/219-substance-use-among-secondaryschool-students-in-an-urban
Towers R.L.(1987) Student Drug and Alcohol abuse. How schools can help. National
Education Association Combat Series. Washington, D.C.
www.netdoctor.co.uk/heath-advice/facts/drugabuse.htm-cahced date accessed 25/5/2010
Zhimin,L. Weihua,Z. L and Zhi,L (2001). The use of psychoactive substances among
adolescents in an area in the South West of China. Addiction. 96: 247-250
10