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Perception Of Drug Use And Abuse On Students Behaviour In Public Secondary Schools
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
The abuse of
drugs constitutes one of the most important risk taking behaviour among
adolescents and young adults in secondary schools. Despite worldwide
concern and education about psychoactive substances, self medication and
misuse of illicit drugs, many adolescents have limited awareness of
their adverse consequence.
Drug use is as old as the history of human
race people have used herbs, roots, barks, leaves and all kinds of
plant to relieve pain and help control disease. When drugs are properly
administered, they become a blessing to human beings. It should,
however, be noted that some drugs unfortunately produce enticing side
effects such as a sense of feeling good, elation serenity and power such
that what began as means of relaxation evolved in time into a problem
of dependence and abuse. (Karechrio,1996). Drug can be defined as a
substance that is purposely introduced into the body to change normal
body functions. Drug abuse explains the persistent excessive use of
chemicals or substance for any reason other than its acceptable medical
purpose. The influence of drugs is on the students behavior has been
documented. Kaire (2005), noted that drug abuse have been identified as a
major cause of unrest in public secondary school leading to poor
performance in exams and mass drop outs of students from secondary
schools.
Tabifor (2000), explains that drug addiction creates an
enabling environment for violence as it gives the abuser a false sense
of greatness and power. Curiosity, social pressure and peer group
influence are reported to be primary reasons for substance misuse. Most
often the student of public secondary schools starts by experimenting
with the so called “GATEWAYDRUGS†such as tobacco, alcohol and
marijuana. Drug abuse also refers to the use of usually self
administration or any drug in a manner that deviate from approved
medical; pattern or with a given culture, in which cause the use of
medically prescribed drugs such as barbiturate to induce Dulphoria in
social situation would be abuse on drugs. Drugs mainly abused as
stimulant like Amphamine sedative and tranquilizers like Barbiturates,
Valium and Mandrase Hauvelnogens. These drugs do not only have mild
altering capacity but they may often be harmful.
The world drug
report (2011), reports that a total 0f 190 million people consume drugs
and alcohol world wide and the majority of these are youths. Bennet.et
al, 1991 observes that alcohol, tobacco and marijuana are the most
common consumed substances by the adolescent (boys and girls) across the
globe. Njuki (2004), maintains that there are many issues confronting
Africa such as drug abuse which is not looked at with the seriousness it
deserves. He observed that illicit drug-trafficking and drug abuse are
increasing in Africa. Cannabis, methaqualone, heroin and alcohol are
included among drugs used across the continent of Africa, Moreover, the
injection of heroin has caused heightened concern as intravenous drug
use assists in the continued spread of HIV/AIDS (Njuki , 2004). Ministry
of Education (1996), made strategies in order to promote the boy’s and
girls health ad their well being. They introduced regular health check
in all schools and the prevention of drugs and alcohol use In its
institution. Further, the ministry of Education has established guidance
and counseling departments in schools which deal with cases of guiding
and counseling the learners when they fail victims of unwanted
behaviours (Ministry of Education, 1996).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This study was conducted to find out the perception of drug use and abuse on student’s behavior in public secondary schools in Lagos State.Chapter one presented the background of study which consists of statement of the problem, research questions, research hypothesis, significance of the study, purpose of the study, delimitation, limitations as well as definition of term. Review of related literature was carried out in chapter two on the prevalence of drug use and abuse among Nigeria stu ... Continue reading---
