Project Abstract

<p>                <b>ABSTRACT&nbsp;</b></p><p>This study was aimed at examining the Parents‟, Teachers‟ and students‟ perception of drug abuse and its influence on academic performance among adolescents in Secondary Schools in Niger state, Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study and four corresponding null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of confidence. The study sample included 162 parents, 60 teachers and 162 adolescents, making a total of 384 sampled respondents for the study. The descriptive survey design was used. Relevant literature reviewed were cited. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire that was validated and tested for reliability. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Frequency counts, percentages and means were used while the hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The responses on the drug abuse and its influence on academic performance among adolescent students in Secondary Schools in Niger state were both positive and significant. Their major perceptions were that, drug abuse by adolescents lower their academic performance; both parents and the students were of the view that male students who keep bad friends were likely to fall into drug abuse; teachers were of the opinion that male students who have no basic future of livelihood may resort to drug abuse. It was concluded that all the respondents irrespective of their status have almost the same level of perception on what influences adolescents‟ drug abuse and that drug abuse can result to into negative consequences including lower academic performance. It was recommended among others that parents and teachers should monitor the type of peer groups their adolescents keep, as peer group influence, is the major cause of adolescent drug abuse. It was also recommended that drug education should be integrated into Home – Economics curriculum at all levels of education. <br></p>

Project Overview

<p><b>1.0 introduction&nbsp;</b></p><p><b> 1.1 Background to the Study&nbsp;</b></p><p>The incidence of increase in the rate of drug abuse in Nigeria, particularly among adolescent led to the establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1990. The agency‟s investigating report revealed that adolescents and youths between the ages of 15 to 30 years constitute the high risk group in drug abuse (NDLEA, 1992). The Police Community Relation Report (2000) showed that the great number of adolescents and youths from different secondary and tertiary institutions across the country arrested in connection with violent and criminal cases in Nigeria were drug abuse related. Drug abuse has become a medical, economic, and social problem that effects individual and the community at large. Drug is a substance, other than food, that has an effect on one or more systems of the body, causing physical, psychological, legal or social harm to the individual or to others affected by the drug user‟s behaviours especially the central nervous system. It is simply the non-medical use of a drug which interferes with a healthy and productive life (Gerard, Mark and Stephen, 1990; Sott, 2002). It is also the deliberate taking of drug for other than its intended purpose and in a manner that can result in damage to the person‟s health or ability to function. Akinwade (2004) defines drug abuse as the adverse or negative pharmacological properties of drugs for selfish, economic or psychoactive purposes. Adolescent is a person developing from a child into an adult usually between the ages of 13 and 18.Adolescence is the most crucial and significant period of rapid revolutionary change in the individual‟s physical, mental, moral, spiritual, sex and social outlook, human personality, period of anxieties and worries (Aggarwal, 2005). It is also a period of ambitious, conflicts and complexity. NDLEA (1998) confirmed among adolescent students a relationship between drug use and their involvements in academic activities and other criminal behaviors in schools. The students involved were found to pay more attention to social vices than to their studies. Some of these students drop out of school and engage in drug trade and money laundering.&nbsp;</p><p>Perception is defined by Coolican (1994) as the process of attaining awareness or understanding of sensory information. Alexander (2003) asserted that when individual perceives, it will be as result of interplays between past experiences and one‟s culture which individual react the way he understood things or situation. Parents‟ perception of drug abuse is rooted in their social exposure, experienced and intellectual standing. According to Abdullahi (2008), most illiterate parents do not see drug as an anathema or habit that debase adolescents' futuristic endeavours, but a social act that proofs his maturity. In some cultures, drug abuse is considered as a culture imperative which has genealogical evidence and acceptability. The literate parents' perceptions rely heavily on the evidence of psycho-social and intellectual effects of drug in their perceptions. Their behavior towards issue of drug abuse is therefore, characterized by strong evidence of debilitating conditions of the abusers and the stimuli they received from social conditions (Ukadike, 2004). Teachers also experienced what psychologists tag adolescent's perception diffusion. Although, adolescent students they interact with them which puts the teachers in a good steady to know, understand and monitor their conducts and behaviours yet they do not know the extent at which they students have internalize certain criminal actions that pose threat to their academic performance and future advancement. Adolescents perceived prescribed drugs as safe because they are medicine which calms coughs, soothes throats, ease fever, painkillers and stimulants and therefore, can be used as mind or body altering drugs. The phenomenal increase in the consumption of illicit drugs by adolescent in our country and resultant effects justify the concerns and worries over the wide spread of public health problems in Nigeria. Academic performance refers to the extent to which students have achieved their educational goals, this is commonly measured by examination or continuous assessment. Research study shows that most adolescent who have been exposed to drug suffer from ego diffusion. According to a study carried out by Tajudeen, (2007), it was revealed that adolescents student that consume hard drug usually perform poorly in their school tests and public examinations. Adolescents also display behaviors that attest to their poor potential upbringing. These behaviours include disrespectfulness, lack of tolerance, truancy and aggression. The psychological problem infringes on their view and, in an extreme condition, result in commission of crimes. Despite the jingles on Radio, television and print media, the evidences on the ground today, particularly the persistent reports of arrest of students with drugs by NDLEA; the Nigeria police and even the Nigeria Defense Corps, attest to the fact that the jingles have not in any way, curbed the involvement of students in drugs and their related offences. Some efforts have been made in recent past to nip the problems at the bud, a lot more needs to be made, giving the severity of the problems and the effects on the survival of the family and the nation. 1.2 Statement of the Problem The research was prompted by the growing rate of drug abuse and unethical conducts by most adolescents in schools. The researcher had on several occasions witnessed a display of aggression by some suspected drug users among students to their contemporaries, and persistent show of lackadaisical attitude to their studies.&nbsp;</p><p>In Niger State, for instance, it was reported by News line Newspapers in Minna that 10 students of Government Secondary School, Minna were caught with some raps of Indian hemp kept in their School bags (Newsline, June, 20, 2004). In the same vein, it was reported by the state radio (Radio Niger) that two students beat up the principal of Government Day Secondary School, Maikunkele in Niger State. On investigation by the police, it was discovered that these students were drug users and had on several occasions' unleashed terror in the school by beating up fellows students. Counselling units of two secondary schools in Niger State were visited by researcher. It was discovered that some students that consume hard drugs perform below average in their studies and behaviours that include disrespectfulness, lack of tolerance, truancy and aggression. According to Ofeogbu (2004) "most of youths who consume drugs have been found to engage in more deadly criminal acts, such as armed robbery and hired killing. They manifest some symptoms of deviance and psychosis which of course, are attributed to huge consumption of drugs such as Indian hemp and cocaine. Bello (2006) found that no fewer than six principal staff of some secondary schools in Niger State were attacked and beaten up by students who were later confirmed to have taken Indian hemp. It was reported by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Niger State that most drugs that youths, particularly student‟s abuse persistently in the State are Indian hemp, cigarette and inhaler known as 'solution. It is quite worrisome too that these children that are engaged in consumption of drugs may indeed be aided by their parents. A case was recently reported in the state print media News line involving a man arrested with 27kg of Indian hemp along Kontagora Road in Niger State by NDLEA and on interrogation, it was discovered that two of his children in secondary schools have been assisting him in the business. No doubt, exposing children to such business could easily tempt them to consume the drugs. Various attempts have been made to reduce the use of drugs by students. Some of these attempts include, jingles on the danger of drug abuse in the public media (radio and television), public bulletins, pamphlets, warning and arrest of adolescent drug users by law enforcement agencies, and so on. But despite all these, the problem persists.&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.3 Objectives of the Study</b>&nbsp;</p><p>The major objective of study is to examine parents‟, teachers‟, and students‟ perception of drug abuse and its influence on academic performance among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Niger State. The specific objectives were to evaluate:-&nbsp;</p><p>1. Parents teachers‟ and students perception on what influences adolescents to abuse drugs;&nbsp;</p><p>2. The perception of parents, teachers and students on adolescents‟ drug abuse;&nbsp;</p><p>3. The perception of parents,‟ teachers and students on drug abuse and its influence on students‟ academic performance; and</p><p>&nbsp;4. The perception of parents‟ teachers‟ and students‟ on which gender predominates in the frequency of drug abuse among adolescent students.&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.4 Research Questions&nbsp;</b></p><p>1. What are the differences among parents‟, teachers‟ and students‟ in their perception on what influences adolescents drug abuse?&nbsp;</p><p>2. What are the differences in the perception parents‟, teachers‟ and students on what influences adolescents drug abuse?&nbsp;</p><p>3. What is the influence of drug use on students‟ academic performance?</p><p>&nbsp;4. What are the differences in the perception of parents, teachers and students drug abuse among male and female adolescent students?&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.5 Research Hypotheses&nbsp;</b></p><p>The study is based on null hypotheses&nbsp;</p><p>HO1: There is no significant differences among parents‟ teachers‟ and students‟ in their perception on what influences adolescent drug abuse.&nbsp;</p><p>HO2: There is no significant differences among parents‟ teachers‟ and students‟ in their perception on adolescents drug abuse.&nbsp;</p><p>HO3: There is no significant differences among parents‟ teachers‟ and students‟ in their perception on drug abuse and its influence on students‟ academic performance.&nbsp;</p><p>HO4: There is no significant differences among parents, teachers‟ and students‟ in their perception on which gender predominates in the frequency of drug abuse among adolescent students.&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.6 Basic Assumption&nbsp;</b></p><p>In carrying out the study, the following assumptions would be made the views of the parents on the problems of adolescents‟ drug abuse are not being influence by sentiments or unrealistic impression. <br></p><p> 1. The views of the teachers on the problem of adolescents drug abuse is not influenced by their personal relationship with the students.&nbsp;</p><p>2. The views of the students on drug abuse are not strictly based on their fear of been seen as drug users or addicts.&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.7 Significance of the Study&nbsp;</b></p><p>The findings of this study will be of importance to the following people; parents, curriculum planners, students, teachers and school administrators. The results of the study will enlighten parents to always counsel their children and wards on the need to embrace sound ethical codes and good behaviours. They will also see the need to care, come closer and show love to their children. The result of findings will enable the curriculum planners in their review to integrate drug education into Home Economies curriculum of all levels of education as this will help to control the phenomenon of adolescent‟s drug abuse in our schools.&nbsp;</p><p>It will also enrich the scope of Home&nbsp;Economies education and provide new perspectives for a deeper understanding of the drug abuse by adolescents. It will educate students to show abstinence from drugs, through seminars and educative talks on drugs by Home Economists. This will lead to arouse students interest in more rewarding activities and enterprise; make them to completely throw overboard several misconduct that impinge on their good image in school.&nbsp;</p><p>Teachers and school administrators will benefit from the result of the study by devising appropriate measures, and skills in handing the issue of moral behavior of the students and their quest for academic excellence.&nbsp; The study will be of immense benefit to the nation as it could lead to the turnout of students who are morally sound and upright, and whose thinking has been moderated by more rewarding conducts and goals. Parents, curriculum planners, students, teachers and school administrators will get the information through media, seminars, workshops, conferences, bulletins and newspapers.&nbsp;</p><p><b>1.8 Delimitation of the Study&nbsp;</b></p><p>The study is delimited to the perception of parents, teachers and students on drug abuse and its influence on academic performance among adolescents in secondary schools in Niger State. The study will focus on six selected Local Government Areas of Niger State. The parents to be used for this study will be those who have students in secondary schools in Niger State. The choice of parents is based on their knowledge of observed change in attitudes in their children. The study will be delimited to teachers of secondary schools who have 10 years and above years of cognate experience because they are better positioned to observe students‟ displayed aggression and other social deviant behaviours. It is further delimited to SSII students in Niger State.&nbsp;</p><p>The choice of SSII students is based on the fact that they are not affected by placement or external examinations and have also attained the period of adolescence.&nbsp;</p>