

































 
 

 
 

Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students in 
Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A. A. OGUNJEMILUA (Ph.D) 
Department of Social Studies, School of Arts and Social Sciences, College of Education, 

Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria 
Phone No: +2348038185740 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Abstract 
The study was carried out to investigate drug abuse among Secondary School Students in 
Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. In course of this study, sixty students 
were selected each in five Secondary Schools in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State. 
There consisted the study sample of three hundred students which were randomly selected. 
The data collected were analyzed using percentage to test the stated research questions. 
Based on the results, recommendations were made that government should intensity her 
campaign against drug abuse by Nigerians. Parents-Teacher Association (P.T.A) should also 
be active in curbing their children and warn them to deviate from drug abuse films which 
misinform or miseducate youth on the use of drug should not be shown on television screen 
Secondary School should develop intensive in-service programmes with the assistance from 
specialist with experience and background in developing drug educational programme. 
Keywords: Drug, abuse, Drug Abuse, Secondary School, Secondary School students.  
 
 
 
 
 

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Introduction 

Drug abuse has been defined as ''persistent" or sporadic excessive and improper use of 
drug without the regard of accepted medical practice (Odejide, 1932). Drug abuse Occurs in 
all social and economic classes, it is not limited to the slum areas of major cities or countries, 
it can crap up anywhere without reference to economic level ethnic origin intellectual or 
educational attainment religious identity or social status.  

The commonly abused drugs produce different effects and those drugs include: 
(1) Narcotic used to treat pain relief.                  
(2) Sedatives and hypnotics used To treat insomnia  
(3) Tranguilizers used  to relieve mild depression and keen patients  awake.    

Drug   abuser   is   so   widespread  that  everyone   is exposed to,  youth and adults 
alike, drugs are used for various purposes   such   as   social   purposes,   therapeutic to    
escape from psychic state or to gain an experience and of curiosity. In recent time, drug abuse 
among the secondary school students has become a popular, sensitive and mystifying 
problem. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) technical report series No. 516 (1973) defined 
drug as "any substance which when taken into living organism may modify one or more of its 
functions 

On the other hand, drug abuse could be defined as the use of drugs for reason, beside 
medication in an attempt to influence -the body and mind to alter emotions and senses to 
escape from reality or the actual experience of a normal life. 

To corroborate the assertion raised above, Ray (1973) viewed drug abuse as the 
continuous or occasional use of drug by the individual of his or her own choice to achieve his 
or her own objective which is not therapeutic or within legitimate use for purpose social or 
out of curiosity or to obtain an experience, regardless of whether dangerous effect are caused 
or accompanied its usage on the individual or not. 

The following are also tantamount to drug abuse but people usually fail to take 
cognizance of it:  
(a) Alcoholism (Excessive consumption of alcohol) turns consumer to be an addict.  
(b)  Smoking or snuffing hemp (common among students).  
(c)  Hard drug pushing, drug peddling could be equal to drug abuse. 

However, anybody who has gone neck deep in the attitude of drug use has become a 
victim of societal ills and should be really helped in order to save the society. Attempts at 
solving; social phenomena in human societies generally have always been approached from 
different perspective. But to meaningfully tackle social problem such as drug abuse among 
secondary school students the most usual thing to do is to look at its underlying causes with 
an objective of devising strategies to solving it, hence, the need for this study. 
 
Literature Review 

Odejide (1982) maintained that drug is said to be abused when it is used not medically 
necessary against legal prohibition and excessively used as in the case with socially 
acceptable drug. 

A study by Kramer & Corner (1975) suggests that young people who use Marijuana 
might learn it from friends or peers. Kendal and associates (1973) note that the highest rate of 
Marijuana usage was found among adolescents whose parents and friends were drug abusers. 

Gustain (1970) identified some common sign of drug abuse among post primary and 
secondary schools as follows: 

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(i)   Sudden and drastic change in attendance the last including changes in legibility and 
       neatness.  
(ii)  Unusual flare-up or outburst temper changes in physical appearance. 
(iii)  Sun glasses worn at inappropriate time and place. 
 (iv)  Borrow to finance drug purchase. 

Earp (1987) maintained that the   following  symptoms  are suggestive of drug addict: 
1.     Loose interest in life. 
2.     Show less interest in personal interest 
3.     Achieve less at school. 
4.     Be absent from schoolwork. 
5.     Tell lies, be evasive. 
6.      Enjoy long period of time alone. 
7.      Drop old friends and keep company with new bad ones. 

Drug abusers as seen by Qviagu (1972) were under the age of 20years which he put at 
68.8%, more than 50% of abusers were seen by Lambo (1990) in support of Oviagu’s 
submission Most of these youths have died of unidentified ailments, which were believed to 
be as a result of drug abuse 

The use of sedatives and analgesics produced temporary reduction of body activity. In 
line with the findings of this work, Fawole (1982) has identified analgesics as being the most 
commonly abused drugs by Nigerian youths. This unguarded use of drugs according to him 
can cause certain Kinds of Kidney disease, which have an adverse effect on blood clotting 
fume and why lead to gastro-intestine bleeding 
  
Purpose of the study 
The study is to identify the cause and effect of drug abuse among secondary school students 
m Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State and proffer possible solution to the problems. 
 
Research questions 
This research was guided by the following research questions: 
(i)     What are the modes of living of the students? 
(ii)    What are the drug being abused by the students? 
(iii)   What are the reasons for taking drugs? 
(iv)   What is the behaviour of students under the influence of drug? 
(v)     What strategies can be used for eradicating the incidence of drug abuse? 
 
Methodology 
This study is a descriptive research in which the survey method was used to collect data on 
drug abuse among secondary schools students in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State. 
 
Selection sample 
Five (5) secondary schools out of the eight secondary schools in the area of study were 
randomly selected. Stratified random sampling technique was employed in selecting the 
subject from each school used for the study in all, three hundred students were randomly 
selected for this study. 
 
Research Instrument  
Questionnaire was used for this study and it contained 36 statements to be responded to by 
the students the questionnaire was divided into two main parts, the first past was designed to 
elicit demographic information from respondents, the other part is for the questionnaire 

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proper covering five areas (i) self-medication (ii) drug abuse (iii) causes (iv) effect of drug 
abuse (v) solutions to drug abuse. 
 
 
Validation and reliability of instrument 
The instrument was presented to experts in test and measurement who ascertained the content 
and face validity. To ensure the reliability of the instrument test-retest method was used the 
questionnaire was given to (50) fifty students. The questionnaire were collected and scored. 
The same set of questionnaire was administered to the same set of respondents a week later 
and they were also retrieved and scored. Responses on the two occasions were correlated 
using the Pearson Predict Movement Correlation Method, the correlation co-efficient was 
0.74, this was considered high enough for reliability. 
 
Procedure 
The research personally administered the questionnaire. All questionnaires administered, 
were duly completed and returned to research. 
 
Analysis of findings 
 
Research question 1: What are the modes of living of the students? 
  
Table 1: mode of living of students 
S/N 
 

Items 
 

Frequency 
 

Percentage(%) 
 

1. 
 

Living with parents 
 

26 
 

8.7 
 

2. 
 

Living in hostels 
 

37 
 

12.3 
 

3. 
 

Living with relatives 
 

50 
 

16.7 
 

4. 
 

Living alone 
 

60 
 

20.0  
 

5. 
 

Living with peer groups 
 

127 
 

42.3 

 
In table 1, item 1 above revealed only 8.7 of the subjects lived with their parents. Item 2, 
revealed that12.3% of the respondents who were involved in drug abuse lived in hostels. Item 
3 revealed that 16.7% living with their relative while item 4 revealed that 20.0 & of the 
students who were drug abuses lived alone, in item 5, a large number of subjects to the tune 
of 42.3% were found guilty of drug abuse as a result of living with their peer groups. 
  
Research question 2: What are the drugs being abused by the students?  
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Table 2: Categories of drugs abused 
S/N 
 

Category 
 

Items 
 

Frequency 
 

Percentage (%) 
 

6. 
 

 
 
Stimulants 
 
 

Kolanuts 
 

26 
 

8.7 
 

7. 
 

Hemp 
 

22 
 

7.3 

8. 
 

Alcohol 
 

34 
 

11.3 

9 
 

 
 
Sedative 

Cigarettes 
 

26 
 

8.7 

10       
 

Valium 
 

36 
 

12.0 
 

11 
 

 
 
 
 
Analgesic 
 
 

Librum 
 

25 
 

10.5 
 

12 
 

Panadol 
 

17 
 

8.3 

13 
 

Paracetamol 
 

16 
 

5.3 

14 
 

Codein 
 

48 
 

16.0 
 

 
15 

Mestrogen                   
 

50 16.7 
 

 
In table 2, item 6 was being abused by 8.7 % of the respondents.  In item 7, 7.3% of the 
subjects were found involved in abusing smoking hemp. Item 8, 11.3% of the students were 
found involved in drinking alcohol It was observed in item 9 that 8.7% smoked cigarettes. In 
item  10, 12.0% abused the use of valium and item  15,  16.7% of subjects abused Mestrogen 
drug. 
  
Research Question 3:  What are reasons for taking drugs'? 
 
Table 3: Respondent’s  reason for taking Drug 
S/N 
 

Item 
 

Frequency 
 

Percent ages (%) 
 

16 
 

To make we feel high 
 

66 
 

22.0 
 

17 
 

To   forget   worries   due   to 
excessive academic 
 

56 
 

18.7 
 

I8 
 

As a matter of habit 
 

17 
 

5.7 
 

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19 
 

It keeps me awake 
 

32 
 

10.7 

20. 
 

For social satisfaction 
 

20 
 

6.7 

21 
 

To induce sleep 
 

27 
 

9.0 
 

22. 
 

For emotional disturbances 
 

53 
 

17.7 
 

23. 
 

For studying purpose 
 

29 
 

9.7 

 
In the table above, item 16, 22.0% of the students abused drugs to make them feel high. In 
item 17, 18.7% students were involved in drug abuse to make them relax from excessive 
academic load. In item 18, 5.7% of the respondents take drug in abusing manner as a habit. In 
item 22, 17.7% of the respondents take drugs for emotional disturbances. In item 23, it was 
observed that 9.7% of the subjects abused drugs for the purpose of studying 
 
Research Question 4 : What are the behaviours of the students under the influence of 
drugs? 
 
Table 4. Behaviours of students under the influence of drugs. 
S/N 
 

Items 
 

Frequency 
 

Percentages (%) 
 

24. 
 

Fighting 
 

107 
 

35. 7% 
 

25 
 

Having fun 
 

44 
 

14.7% 
 

26. 
 

Listening to music 
 

125 
 

41.7% 
 

27. 
 

Cracking jokes 
 

50 
 

16.7% 
 

28, 
 

Always serving punishment 
 

89 
 

29.7% 
 

29. 
 

Associate with sex scandal 
 

110 
 

36.7% 
 

30. 
 

Sleeps in class or at breaks 
 

140 
 

46.7% 
 

31. 
 

Becoming a bully to junior 
 

121 
 

40.3% 
 

32. 
 

Encounter with security 
 

96 
 

32%. 
 

 
On table 4, item 24, 35. 7% of the sample results to fighting under the influence of drugs. 
In item 26, a total number 125 (4 1 .7%) of the subjects enjoy listening to music, while in 
item 29, 36.7% the subjects were associated with sex scandals. In item 30, 46.7% of the 
sample sleep in the class during school lessons or break times. In item 31, 40. 3% of the 
subjects become bully to the junior students. 
 

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Research Question 5. 
What strategies can be used for eradicating the incidence of drug abuse? 
 
Table 5: Respondents solutions for eradicating drug abuse 
S/N 
 

Item 
 

Frequency              
 

Percentage (%) 
 

33 
 

Abstaining from taking drags 
 

156 
 

52. % 
 

34 
 

Avoid mixing with people who 
take drugs 

267 
 

             89.0% 
 

35 
 

Treatment from doctors to 
overcome the habit 

112 
 

37.3% 
 

36 
 

A void self –medication 
 

87 
 

37.3% 
 

 
Table 5 indicate that in item 33,52% of the subjects as need that abstaining from taking drugs 
will help to eradicate drug abused .In item 34, 89% agreed that avoiding mixing with people 
who take drugs will help in the indication of drugs abuse. In item 35, 37.3% indicated that 
willingness to get treatment from doctors to get over the habit.., 
 
Discussion of Findings 
(1)  Students that moved away from the close-eye monitoring of their parents were prone to 

drug abuse. It was revealed that the highest number of subjects 167(55.7%)who lived 
with their peer groups were involved In drugs abuse 

(2)  Velium alcohol, cigarettes, kolanuts and Librium were the mostly abused drugs in a broad 
 sense stimulants (i.e alcohol, cigarettes, kolanuts  and sedatives like velium and Librium   
were abused. 

(3)  Students abused drugs mostly to enable them to study, feel high and forget worries of 
      excessive academic load. 
(4)  The best way towards eradicator drug abuse is to avoid mixing with people who take 
      drugs. 
(5)  Complete abstaining from Taking drugs recommendations.  

 
To curb the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students, the following 

recommendation are hereby made: 
 (1) The government should intensity her campaign against drug abuse by Nigerians. 
(2) The ministries of education and information should embark on school-to-school 

campaign to let student to know the evils involved in taking drugs not recommended by 
the doctor or physicians. 

(3) The Parent -Teacher - Association (PTA) should also be actives in curbing their children 
       and warn them to deviate from Drug abuse. 
(4) Every home should rise to its responsibility in the growth and development of their 
      offspring Parents and guardians should not save their children in the hands of people who 
      are less caring and who lack affection, guardians and parental attention which are 
       paramount in the formation stage. 

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(5) Films which misinform or miseducate youth on the use of drug should not be shown on 
       television screens. 
(6) The school should develop intensive in service programmes with the assistance from 
       specialists with experience and background in developing drug educational programmes. 

References 
Karp, (1987). Handbook of the Training Course in Drugs Dependence, Benin City Nigeria.  
Fawole, 1.O. (1962). Awareness Self-effects of Analgesic Abuse among Nigeria Youths. 

 Nigerian School Health Journal, 4(1), 88-95. 
 Custain  (1970).  Abnormal  Psychology  and   Modern   Life.   llinos. Scotch Pressman and 

Company. 
 Kendal, (1973). Alternative to Adultary or Adolescent Drug Abuse. Journal of American 

 Medical Association, 14, 61. 
 Kramer and Corner (1975). Delinquent Boys  the culture of the gang. New York the Free 

Press Pg. 148. 
 Lambo, L.A. (1965).  Social Problems of Drug Addiction. West Africa with Special 

Emphasis on Psychiatrics Aspects.  Bulletin Nareotics, 17(1), 3. 
Olajide,  (1982). The Drug Abuse Scene in Nigeria. National Institute on Drug Abuse 

Research Monograph Series.  
Ray, (1973). What You Should Know About Drug Abuse, Green Field Mass, USA, 2nd 

Edition. 

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