CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA

Abstract

The menace of drug abuse among students in Nigeria’s higher institution of learning has been receiving increasing attention in recent time. However, the causes of drug abuse among them has not really been identified to the extent that it can offer suggestion to adequate policy measures. This is largely because of institutional or locational peculiarities, and to a large extent differential effects of drug on students’ academic performance, health and social relationship, among others, are yet to be adequately interrogated. This study was therefore, conducted to ascertain the prevalence, causes and effects of drug abuse among students with special focus on students of the University of Abuja. Primary data was collected with the aid of structured questionnaires using simple random sampling method. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved for the study. Data collected were analyzed using simple means and percentages. Respondents were made up of males and females, age between 16 and 40 years and spread across three faculties namely, Arts, Science and Social Science. Findings of the study revealed that drug abuse among students was common in the University of Abuja The types of Drugs abused include marijuana, alcohol, codeine, cannabis, cocaine, inhalants, stimulants, hallucinogens, sedatives and narcotics. The consequences of drugs’ abuse were found to include poor academic performance, criminality, mental disorder, violence, family problem/disharmony, low self-esteem, physical injury and death. Peer pressure, lack of parental guidance, frustration, availability of drugs, to increased alertness, self-satisfaction, possession of money for buying drugs, stress relief and self-medication, physical sensation and curiosity were identified as causes of drug abuse among the students. The study therefore recommended among others, effective educational awareness, effective parenting and guidance, counselling/rehabilitation, jailing of offenders, and capital punishment, as possible solutions to drug abuse.