Effect of Drug Abuse on the Academic Performance of Students

Effect of Drug Abuse on the Academic Performance of Students

ABSTRACT: The study was carried out to investigate the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State. Three research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Literature related to the study was reviewed. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all the students of Federal Government College Plateau State. A sample size of two hundred [200] respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique.

The main instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire and Performance Test (PT). The result from the instrument was analyzed using independent t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significant.  Findings from the study revealed that students who do not abuse Alcohol have a better performance in school than those who abuse marijuana. It also showed that students who do not involve themselves in alcohol abuse perform academically better than their counterpart who abuse alcohol. Finally, the finding also shows that students’ who do not abuse tobacco performed academically better than students who abuse tobacco.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Every individual grow towards becoming functioning members of the society, in the process of growth, gains empowerment through school learning which act as a determinant for academic excellence. This commitment on the part of Government and other non-state actors has extended to ensure that students are properly groomed and tutored on how best to effectively manage themselves in an ever-changing world. These changes have tempted some students to believe that, for them to be able to achieve academic expectations they need to be involve in the use of hard drugs (Brook, etal. 2009).

Drug abuse, is generally viewed as the use of a substance that modifies mood or behaviour in a manner characterized by a maladaptive pattern of use. Musto (2008) says that drug abuse is the use of drug that can cause disorder characterized by the use of a mood or behavioral pattern resulting in significant impairment, such as failure to fulfill social or occupational obligations or recurrent use in situations in which it is physically dangerous to do so or which end in legal problems

Drug abuse is the use of drugs for purposes other than medical reasons, thus affecting the individual negatively, socially, cognitively and physically. Social effects may be reflected in an individual’s enhanced tendency to engage in conflicts with friends, teachers, and school authorities. Cognitive effects relate to the individual’s lack of concentration on academic work and memory loss. Lewinsohn (2007) defines a drug as any product other than food or water that affects the way people feel, think, see, and behave. It is a substance that due to its chemical nature affects the physical, mental and emotional functioning of people.

It can enter the body through chewing, inhaling, smoking, drinking, rubbing on the skin or injection. Drug abuse amongst the global youth population has become a serious problem affecting everyone. Drug addiction has led many people into downward spiral of hopelessness, ranging from glue-sniffing street children and teenage ecstasy, heroin alcohol, tobacco and cocaine (Nacada, 2005). Drug abuse is responsible for lost wages, destruction of property in schools, soaring health care costs and broken families. It is a problem which affects us all as parents, children, teachers, Government officials, taxpayers and workers.

The use of hard drugs by students in Nigeria has become an embarrassing phenomenon to parents, schools, government authorities, and the society at large. The students today are the leaders of tomorrow and they deserve good education in the right direction (Kothari, 2006)

One of the most common consequences of drug use is keeping up with academic responsibilities. According to, National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (2005) in United State of America about 25% of students experience difficulty in academics due to drug Abuse. Such difficulties include earning low grades, doing poorly on test, missing class and falling behind in academic performance. The common drugs abuse by these students includes alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana etc.  Students who involved themselves in the abuse of these illicit drugs hardly keep up with academic work. Johnson (2012) posits that the abuse of drugs by students is a presumed indicator of academic failure. Even students who don’t use drugs may suffer academic challenge as a result of peer influence. Another effect of drugs includes taking care of friends on drugs and being victims of assault which can affect school work of students who don’t use drug. These consequences can have dramatic end results. Drug use undermine academic mission of schools, colleges and universities.

Drug use and its effect on students performance can lead to a decline in the overall academic performance of a school as a result schools may face declining retention rates and poor reputation. Schools with reputation of ‘drug use’ may attract students who engage in high-risk behaviors and may discourage prospective students who are looking for an academically vigorous institution. It was on this background that the researcher was interested to examine the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In any educational system, success is measured by academic performance or how well a student meets the standard set out by the institution. The menace of failure among the young school students has stared parent, government and stakeholders in the face. There is a consensus of opinion about the fallen standard of education as a big problem that is hindering the posterity of the Nigerian nation in terms of quality man-power resources. Most students in secondary schools experience academic challenges that manifest itself in the form of poor academic performance mostly in Government subject.

Measures have been taken by Educational stakeholders in the bit to solve this problem, but all efforts proof abortive. Hence, this study seeks to examine the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.

Specifically, the study sought to:

1. Determine the extent to which alcohol Abuse influence students’ academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.
2. Examine the extent to which the use of tobacco influence students’ academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.
3. Examine the extent to which the use of marijuana influence students’ academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The study will be of immense benefit to students, parents, teachers, curriculum developers and the society at large. Specifically, the study would benefit the followings:

To the students, it is hoped that the result will aid them to uncover hidden potentials in them. By seeing the influence of certain behaviours like aggressiveness, altruistic tendencies, truancy and their interactional effects on fellow students, teachers, parents and on their learning potentials.

To the parents as it would improve their relationship with their children, since parents are in a better position to understand their children with consideration.

It will also act as an eye opener to parents for them to know that a close relationship with their children should be developed to check certain behaviour that may affect their wards performance in school.

The results of this study will help teachers to understand more and will find it easy to deal with different categories of learners from different homes.

The curriculum planners would also benefit immensely since it will provide a basis for them to design the curriculum, bearing in mind various behaviour of individuals and possibly plan realistic strategy for achieving the objectives and goals of education.

Finally, the society stand to benefit from this study, as there will be farewell to some of the unwanted behaviours that tend to hinder the academic performance of the students. The knowledge gained from this study will assist Government through the ministry of education to design policies and programmes which will help enhance family cohesion so parent will be able to relate better with their children. This will help the development of well-behaved individuals by modifying their behaviour properly.

1.5 Research Questions

In order to achieve the derived objective of this research study, the following research questions were raised to guide the study:

1. To what extent does the use of alcohol influence the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State?
2. To what extent does the use of tobacco influence the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State?
3. To what extent does the use of marijuana influence the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State?

1.6 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were postulated to guide the study:

1. There is no significant difference in the mean performance of students between those who abuse alcoholism and those who do not.
2. There is no significant difference in the mean performance of students between those who abuse tobacco and those who do not.
3. There is no significant difference in the mean performance of students between those who abuse marijuana and those who do not.
   • Limitation of the Study

Financial constraint was a major limitation which hampers the effective movement of the researcher during data collection in the area of study.

• Delimitation of the Study

There are many factors affecting the academic performance of students, but this research study only focus attention on the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.

• Definition of Terms

Academic Performance:This is a term often used in educational institution to describe the extent of performance of educational objectives.

Alcohol Abuse:This is the excess of drinking that result in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.

Drug Abuse: The use of drugs or substance for purposes other than medical reasons, thus affecting the individual in a negative way socially, cognitively and physically.

Tobacco:This refers to the taking of illicit substance, this is done by smoking this substance in pipe or orally.

Student: Refers to a group of learners in an institution of learning.

School environment: School environment are factors within the students’ surrounding in the school that influence the teaching-learning process such as the teachers, equipment, buildings amongst others.

Drug– Any product other than food or water that affects the way people feel, think, see, and behave. It is a substance that due to its chemical nature affects physical, mental and emotional functioning.

Effect– the power to change or affect someone, the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen.

Barbiturates– They are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. They produce effects ranging from mild sedation to total anaesthesia.

Binge Drinking– drinking lots of alcohol in a short space of time or drinking to get drunk or feel the effects of alcohol

Cognitive: Here refers to mental functions of the students in school.

School: This is the institution dedicated to teaching and learning.

Secondary School: An educational institution providing for students after their primary level.

Academic: Here refers to as belonging to an academy or institution of learning.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1   Summary

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of drug abuse on the academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State. Three research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Literature related to the study was reviewed. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all the students of Federal Government College Plateau State. A sample size of two hundred [200] respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. The main instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire and Performance Test (PT).

The result from the instrument was analyzed using independent t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significant.  Findings from the study revealed that students who do not abuse Alcohol have a better performance in school than those who abuse marijuana. It also showed that students who do not involve themselves in alcohol abuse perform academically better than their counterpart who abuse alcohol. Finally, the finding also shows that students’ who do not abuse tobacco performed academically better than students who abuse tobacco.

5.2  Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:

1. Trained counsellors should help counsel students against the dangers of drug abuse.
2. Parents should have effective supervision and should not allow other home environmental factor distract their children.
3. Teachers should also have great supervision and regulation of in-school adolescents to limit the indulgence of youth in drug abuse in other to enhance effectiveness of their academic performance.
4. There should be massive incentive for student who excel academically and severe punishment for those who are failures.

5.3 Conclusion

Based on the findings from data analyzed; drug abuse influence students’ academic performance in Federal Government College Plateau State. However, the following conclusions were drawn. There is a significant difference in students’ academic performance between those who abuse alcoholism drugs and those who do not; there is significant difference in academic performance between student who involve themselves in tobacco and those who do not. Finally, there is a significant difference in students’ academic performance of students between those who abuse marijuana and those that do not.

5.4   Suggestion for further studies  Â

Further studies research related to this study can be made on the following headings:

1. Students’ attitude and academic performance of students in Federal Government College Plateau State.