ABSTRACT
This research is carried out to critically review the causes of drug abuse among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City as a case study. To make this research a reality questionnaires were administered to collect information, the information was collected from different places. The motive behind the research on the causes of drug abuse among secondary school students stem from the belief that students now engage more on drugs than before. This research also seek to find out factors responsible for the causes of drug abuse in schools. The collected data though questionnaires were analyzed computed in percentages. And the following were seen as the major causes of drug abuse in schools; lack of parental care, failure of school system, social disorganization of parents, unlicensed drug stores, and peer groups influence.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Drug abuse is a social problem of great concern in our society like other social problems; drug abuse has been attracting the attention of sociologist, political scientist, psychologist, philosophers, criminologist and social workers.
Social worker in particular, have been working relentlessly to provide solutions to the problems posed by drug abuse, to this end, several causal explanations, causes affect as recommendations through drug abuse could at least the reduced in the society. But since the aim has not been fully accomplished, the need for more research work on the problems becomes more imperative coupled with the facts that the problem seriously affects the social, economic, political and academic lives of drug users in both rural and urban areas.
Drug abuse has far reaching effects on the progress and aspiration of the youth of all lends. It determines how far the students can benefit from the available opportunities provided by the homes, the government and the community.
Various definition and explanations attempted is that the age of the students is usually between the ages of 15 years and 18 years old.
Drug abuse is referred to as substance abuse which involves the repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve certain effects. These substances may be street or illicit drugs illegal due to their potentials for addition and abuse. They can also be drug obtained with a prescription, use of the pleasure rather than medical reasons.
The most unfortunate victims of these drug are the students (youths) these acts or activities are never in conformity to the general accept modes of behavior in the society.
Drug abuse can lead to rape, armed robbery, cultism, murder, theft, fighting e.t.c drug abuse leads to a wide range of anti social tendencies as mentioned above. It starts during the adolescent stage where the child feels it s fun to get involved in drugs and can develop into a chronic addict and can cause untimely
Death if adequate remedial steps are not taken. It had constituted a set back in the lives of many and has been a menace in all aspect of human life.
The study will concentrate on the causes and effect of drug abuse on students.
The first chapter introduces the project work. It is the means to acquaint the readers with the basic information or knowledge of drug abuse. The chapter two will take a critical look at the explanations of drug abuse with special emphasis on the causes and effects of drug abuse among secondary school students. It will also review the literature of different scholars on the issues.
The third chapter will discuss the research methodology, beginning with the description of the population, proceeding to the sample and sampling method, research instruments, procedures for data collection and finally, the method of data analysis.
The fourth chapter will dwell on the presentation and analysis of data, testing the hypothesis and discussion of findings. The final chapter (chapter five) will deal with the summary, conclusion and recommendations.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The menace of drug abuse among students has been the centre of attraction for comments, debates and discussion amongst the public, media and other intelligentsia.
Drug abuse has been a problem in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State Nigeria, cases of students appearing before school and community disciplinary committee, as well as psychiatric homes is on the increase.
The phenomenon exhibits a great deal if worry in some parents, teachers, e.t.c, who are somehow not able to succeed in their attempt to control their addicted children or wards.
The main purpose of the study is to find causes and effects of drug abuse in my community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research work is intended to cover some secondary school students within Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This research work is an attempt to study drug abuse among students in selected Secondary Schools in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. I was stimulated by frequent cases of drug abuse amongst youths and its consequences.
The research findings may apply to other parts of Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to;
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
Research of this nature could help in exposing and reducing the causes of drug abuse in Oredo and assist in the preventive measures to the ever increasing rates of drug abuse in the community and else where.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The objectives of this study are as follows;
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Since the research has to be done along side with my work, the time obviously poses a problem and limit the extent of data is gathered.
Another problem encountered is that of finance, in terms of transportation to target areas, distribution and printing of questionnaires and collection of data from the various schools.
Getting the cooperation of respondents was an up hill task as most of them could not freely because of been exposed.