DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECT ON TERTIARY STUDENTS LEARNING CAPABILITY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN RIVERS STUDENTS

DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECT ON TERTIARY STUDENTS LEARNING CAPABILITY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN RIVERS STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Drug abuse among the world’s youth population has become a serious problem that affects everyone. Addiction sends many people, particularly young people, on a downward spiral of hopelessness that can be fatal in some cases. According to Kalunta (2015), a drug is anything other than food or water that alters how people feel, think, see, and behave. Kerochio (2015) defines drug abuse as the use of drugs for purposes other than medical treatment, with negative social, cognitive, or bodily consequences for the user.

Medication use poses no risk in and of itself, as pharmaceuticals that are properly administered have proven to be beneficial. Persistent drug use, according to Falco (1988), as cited by Sambo (2008), can irreversibly harm an adolescent’s physical and psychological development. Medications can be beneficial or harmful depending on how they are used. Aside from being aware of the negative consequences of substance abuse, various studies have discovered that students use drugs for a variety of reasons, including: curiosity, peer and family pressure, a lack of parental supervision, personality issues, socioeconomic issues, the need for extra energy for work, frustration, happiness, fear reduction, drug availability, the need to maintain a drug habit in order to avoid withdrawal syndrome, and drug availability. With an increase in substance abuse has come an increase in violence among high school and university students. The use of hard drugs such as alcohol, sedatives, cocaine, cocoa leaves, heroin, Indian hemp, tobacco, morphine, and others has increased.

has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly among undergraduates.

Curiosity, boredom, fear relief, sexual and physical pleasures, or family history may all be motivators for drug abuse. Despite the fact that it is well known that drug abuse has negative consequences for teenagers by altering their perception of obstacles and issues in the brain, the number of students who use or abuse stimulants has steadily increased in recent years (Alan, 2003). Furthermore, some university students who are unhappy with their lives due to rage, frustration, academic failure, or boredom turn to alcohol to fit in and find solace. This has a negative impact on their academic performance because time that should be spent studying is diverted to relaxation and socializing.

has skyrocketed in recent years, particularly among undergraduates.

Curiosity, boredom, fear relief, sexual and physical pleasures, or family history may all be motivators for drug abuse. Despite the fact that it is well known that drug abuse has negative consequences for teenagers by altering their perception of obstacles and issues in the brain, the number of students who use or abuse stimulants has steadily increased in recent years (Alan, 2003). Furthermore, some university students who are unhappy with their lives due to rage, frustration, academic failure, or boredom turn to alcohol to fit in and find solace. This has a negative impact on their academic performance because time that should be spent studying is diverted to relaxation and socializing.

After eating, you should sleep (Alan, 2003).

1.2 Definition of the problem

Drug abuse is a well-known issue that has been criticized by all levels of government, including the federal, state, and municipal levels. Many types of drugs are widely abused by teenagers and even adults. Among undergraduates at a southern Nigerian institution, cigarettes, brewed alcohol, locally brewed alcohol, tramadol, rephnol, aspirin, and cannabis are among the most commonly misused narcotics (Essien, 2010). The consequences of drug abuse are especially concerning because the primary perpetrators and victims are the country’s future leaders. The society frowned upon the unregulated ways and fashions in which medications are offered to the public in our markets and medical shops, which are contributing factors to drug misuse.

of physicians and pharmacists.

Despite efforts by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC/NDLEA) and other organizations, drug use is on the rise, with more than 40% of students using narcotics of some kind (Ekpenyong, 2012). Drug abuse appears to be a deeply ingrained habit among tertiary students, who will be tomorrow’s leaders and require a good education to steer them in the right direction. Consistent drug abuse in this population can lead to psychosocial problems in society, as well as affect academic performance and mental health, cause physiological and psychiatric disturbances, and have been identified as a major cause of poor academic achievement, physical health problems, poor finances, emotional problems, memory impairment, risk factor for most chronic diseases, and family relationship problems, among other things.

other things. One can only hope that this offensive behavior and its consequences do not result in the birth of a generation of disturbed children. This assumption is not unjustified in light of the frequent and widespread drug crises at Nigeria’s higher education institutions. As a result, this study seeks to investigate drug abuse and its impact on tertiary students’ learning capability and academic achievement in Rivers State university students.

1.3 Purpose of the research

The study’s overarching goal is to investigate drug abuse and its impact on tertiary students’ learning capability and academic achievement in Rivers students. The study specifically sought to:

1. Investigate the drugs most commonly abused by Rivers State University undergraduate students.

2. Determine the origins of

Rivers State University undergraduate students are abusing drugs.

3. To investigate the impact of drug abuse on River State University undergraduate students.

4. To propose potential solutions to the problem of drug abuse among Rivers State University undergraduate students.

1.4 Research Suggestions

1. How prevalent is drug abuse among RSU students?

2. What are the motivators that drive students to abuse drugs?

3. What types of drugs are commonly abused by Rivers State University undergraduate students?

4. What are the effects of drug abuse on the academic performance of Rivers State University undergraduate students?

5. What are the potential solutions to drug abuse among River State University undergraduate students?

1.5 Importance of the research

The findings of the study will help to raise awareness among Nigerian adolescents and tertiary students about the importance of avoiding activities that may lead to drug abuse. It will also contribute to and serve as a significant source of academic and policy information on the issue of drug addiction in Nigeria, as well as inform policymakers on how to mitigate this anomie. The research will also help to strengthen the Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, which is enshrined in the federal republic of Nigeria’s constitution (1999) as amended, and its recommendations, if properly implemented, will help to reduce the threat of drug abuse in our society. Empirically, the study’s findings will add to the body of existing literature and serve as a guideline.

a resource for students and scholars interested in furthering their studies in a related field.

1.6 The scope of the research

The purpose of this research is to look into drug abuse and its impact on tertiary students’ learning abilities and academic achievement. It will investigate the drugs that are most commonly abused by undergraduate students. Identify the causes of drug abuse among Rivers State University undergraduate students. However, the study is limited to River State University students in Port Harcourt.

1.7 The study’s limitations

The researchers encountered minor constraints while conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. The significant constraint was the scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse, so the researcher had to incur additional financial costs.

and much time was spent locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as collecting data, which is why the researcher resorted to a small sample size. Furthermore, the researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. Furthermore, because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument, the sample size was limited to tertiary institutions and thus cannot be generalized to other levels of education. Despite the constraints encountered during the research, all factors were minimized in order to provide the best results and make the research successful.

1.8 Definitions of terms

A drug is a substance that can cause a change in biological function through its use.

chemical actions. It is also regarded as a substance capable of altering perceptions, cognition, mood, behavior, and general body functions.

Drug Abuse: Drug abuse is defined as the intentional use of drugs for purposes other than their intended purpose while under the supervision of a physician or a medical practitioner. It also refers to the misuse or incorrect use of drugs, which have negative effects on the individual’s central nervous system, mind, mood, behavior, and personality.

Academic performance is the outcome of education, indicating how well a student, teacher, or institution has met their educational objectives. It also describes how well a student performs in school and the awards he or she receives.