SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT OF ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study: The prevalence of illicit substance abuse among students in Nigerian tertiary institutions has become a source of profound embarrassment for parents, educational institutions, government officials, and society as a whole. The persistent misuse of drugs among students might lead to psycho-social issues within society. It is desirable that this abhorrent activity and its related issues do not result in the proliferation of a mentally disturbed cohort of young individuals. This fear is not hypothetical because to the prevalent and widespread drug issues in numerous Nigerian educational institutions.

Regrettably, certain risks undertaken by students may indeed present a genuine danger to their physical and mental welfare. These factors encompass pregnancy, tobacco smoking, heavy alcohol use, and substance abuse. Odejide (2020) argued that drug abuse refers to the non-therapeutic use of a substance, particularly when it is utilised in violation of legal restrictions or when a socially acceptable substance is consumed excessively. According to Sambo (2018), prolonged substance abuse can lead to significant and potentially permanent harm to the physical and psychological growth of adolescents. A drug is defined as a material that can induce a modification in biological function through its chemical effects (Okoye, 2001). Additionally, it is regarded as a chemical that alters perceptions, cognition, mood, behaviour, and overall bodily functioning (Balogun, 2016). Therefore, these substances can be regarded as chemical agents that alter the properties of living tissues, resulting in psychological and behavioural alterations (Nnachi, 2017). Drug misuse is a significant global public health issue (UNODC, 2005). The prevalence of drug consumption and misuse among adolescents has emerged as a very concerning health issue in Nigeria and other global regions (NDLEA, 2017). Numerous students encounter mental health issues, either transiently or chronically. Some individuals may develop mental instability, experience difficulty adapting to school environments, and ultimately discontinue their education.

According to Haladu (2003), NAFDAC (2014) defines drug abuse as the excessive and chronic self-administration of a drug, disregarding medically or culturally approved norms. It can also be seen as the consumption of a substance to the point that it negatively impacts an individual's physical and social well-being. Odejide (2020) cautioned that those who misuse drugs and display indications of stress, worry, depression, alterations in behaviour, weariness, and fluctuations in appetite should seek treatment from medical professionals and counsellors in order to protect them from life-threatening illnesses.

The concerning evidence on the widespread occurrence of drug misuse, as well as the impact and repercussions of substance abuse among students, has prompted a call for action and a challenge to all professions involved in assisting individuals. This appeal urges the development of initiatives aimed at equipping young people with the necessary skills to live a life free from substance abuse. In Ikwo Ebonyi State, substance use has a wide range of repercussions, encompassing both immediate and long-term health issues, social challenges, and psychiatric disorders. Interpersonal relationships, especially within the family, are severely disrupted. This leads to marginalisation, criminal behaviour, academic failure, vocational difficulties, and an inability to reach typical student milestones. It is concerning that these students, who lack any sense of future direction, are expected to become future leaders of the country.

A series of studies conducted by Omage and Oshiloya (2016), Nwagwu (2019), Fayombo (2020), and Obianwu (2015) among college students in Benin City revealed that individuals of questionable moral character in the community engage in the misuse of cannabis and stimulant substances like amphetamines. It is widely agreed that young people are significantly engaged in substance misuse. The issue of drug misuse has become a significant worry for both the Nigerian population and the Federal Government. In response, an Agency has been established to address this social problem and aims to minimise or completely eliminate the spread of drug abuse. According to the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), substance misuse is a significant issue at educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, in Nigeria (NDLEA, 2013). A significant portion of these pupils' behaviours are closely linked to the peer culture, as they acquire knowledge and mimic the peers they hold in high regard.

The desire to be appealing to others holds great significance among students, and it plays a crucial role in the emergence of eating disorders, alcohol consumption, tobacco and drug use, tanning, engaging in unsafe sexual practices, and susceptibility to injuries, among other behaviours. Students who frequently engage in risky activity generally exhibit elevated levels of parental conflict and low self-regulation, indicating that they resort to such behaviour as a means of coping with a difficult lifestyle. Substance-abusing students generally exhibit lower academic performance. Parents and friends exert an influence on students' drinking habits by shaping their attitudes towards alcohol and serving as role models (Taylor, 2003). Conversely, the absence of parental care resulting from deaths, divorces, separation, or conflict has been highly linked to drug misuse (Odejide, 2017). Alcohol and drug consumption can negatively impact pupils' cognitive capacities, such as reducing their capacity to concentrate. Regarding indirect routes, it is possible that drug and alcohol use can divert individuals' resources away from education.

Moreover, it has the potential to hinder students' academic advancement by diminishing their motivation to attend courses or maintain their study habits. Psychologists contend that excessive alcohol consumption can diminish individuals' expectations regarding their scholastic achievements (Deas et al., 2020). This phenomenon may be attributed to a change in the social circle of students when they partake in excessive alcohol drinking. Students rely impolitely on many forms of drugs to support their daily activities, including social, educational, political, and moral pursuits. Examples of such substances include tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, morphine, heroin, alcohol, ephedrine, caffeine, glue, barbiturates, and others. Oshikoya and Alli (2016) conducted research on the perception of drug abuse among Nigerian undergraduates. They found that dependence and addiction are significant outcomes of drug abuse. These conditions are marked by an intense desire for drugs and a persistent pattern of drug use, even when faced with negative consequences. These modifications are counterproductive and unsuitable for the social or environmental context, potentially endangering the individual. Students engage in drug experimentation for various reasons, such as curiosity, seeking pleasure, stress reduction, or a desire to experience a sense of maturity. Early initiation of alcohol and tobacco consumption heightens the likelihood of subsequent drug use.

According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Heart Foundation, it is estimated that 22.1% of students in Nigeria, aged 19 to 25, engage in tobacco smoking. Presently, an increasing number of Nigerian young people are developing a dependency on drugs, as Nigeria is gradually shifting from being a nation that mostly consumes drugs to one that produces drugs. Adolescents from affluent backgrounds are increasingly associating themselves with individuals who engage in the consumption of drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Additional narcotics such as Indian hemp, commonly cultivated in Nigeria, as well as Methamphetamine and codeine tablets, which have intoxicating effects, are predominantly discovered within school environments (Staff, 2012). The use of illicit drugs has a detrimental impact on the academic performance of adolescent students. Currently, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.5 million adolescent student drug users in Nigerian higher institutions. Both academic institutions and students in Nigeria are susceptible to many challenges and issues, as stated by Alabi (2012). Certain adolescents engage in the consumption of illicit substances in order to alleviate the everyday stressors they encounter. It represents a kind of protest against established regulations and a means to delve into one's fundamental nature (Omage, 2015). The apprehension by law enforcement agencies, including the police and NDLEA, and subsequent media coverage have shown a rising trend in the consumption of illegal narcotics. This study investigates the correlation between substance misuse and academic achievement among undergraduate students at Alex Ekwueme Federal University.

1.2 Problem Statement

Despite the extensive efforts made by the Government, religious organisations, non-state actors, and other stakeholders to address the issue of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people, the number of school-going youth falling into drug abuse appears to be increasing on a daily basis. The government has prioritised education as a key component of the social pillar in its ambition for Nigeria to become a middle-income country by 2030. In order to demonstrate its dedication, the government has significantly subsidised secondary school education, resulting in increased accessibility and retention rates within the education system. However, these intervention techniques have imposed significant financial burdens on taxpayers, including the opportunity cost. The problem of drug and substance misuse poses a significant threat to the progress made in education by demotivating students and ultimately harming the potential of these school-going children, who are crucial for the government's efforts to advance the economy. In order for the significant investment in education to yield results, it is imperative that the issue of drugs and substance misuse is addressed with the appropriate level of urgency and importance. The study has noted that certain undergraduates at Alex Ekwueme Federal University encounter internal inefficiencies inside the school system, including a decline in academic performance, disinterest in learning activities, and future school dropouts, as evidenced in the study's backdrop. The absence of any recent research conducted at Alex Ekwueme Federal University that specifically investigates the issue of drug abuse provides a rationale for this present study, which aims to determine the impact of drug and substance abuse on student engagement in learning at Alex Ekwueme Federal University.

1.3 Study Objectives

1. To Determine the Effects of Substance Abuse on Students-Teacher Relationship

2. To Explore The Effects of Substance Abuse on Student Study Habits

3. To Determine The Prevalence of Substance Abuse on Student Class Participation

4. To Proffer Solutions to the Problem of Substance Abuse Among Undergraduates of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo Ebonyi State.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The findings derived from this study will be valuable to families, students, academics, educational administrators, and the government. The study's conclusion highlights the impact of alcohol consumption on students' academic performance. It also serves as a foundation for future research on the effects of alcohol consumption on variables beyond academic performance. Additionally, it raises awareness about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption among students and provides support for parents in educating their children about the negative consequences of alcohol consumption. Finally, the findings of this study provide school authorities and other regulatory agencies with the authority to enact legislation against substance misuse within educational institutions.

1.5 Study Questions

1. What is the Effects of Substance Abuse on Students-Teacher Relationship?

2. How does Substance Abuse affects Student Study Habits?

3. What is the Prevalence of Substance Abuse on Student Class Participation?

4. What strategies can be deployed to mitigate Substance Abuse Among Undergraduates of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo Ebonyi State?

1.6 Hypotheses

H01: Substance abuse do not disrupt students-teacher relationship.

Ha1: Substance abuse disrupts students-teacher relationship.

H02: Substance abuse do not have a negative effect on student study habits.

Ha2: Substance abuse has a negative effect on student study habits.

H03: Substance abuse do not influence students class participation.

Ha3: Substance abuse influences students class participation.

1.6 Scope And Limitation of the Study

The study could not be conducted at all schools in Ikwo, Ebonyi State due to funding restrictions, time limits, and logistical limitations. Once more, the study only focused on undergraduate students and teachers. Consequently, the study did not involve other stakeholders such as parents and community leaders.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Addiction- Having a physical and /or psychological dependence on a substance.

Drug abuse- Drug abuse is the non- medical use of drugs that destroys health and productive life of an individual.

Drug dependency- A physical and or a psychological need for a mood-altering substance.

Drug- Is any substance that, when absorbed in to the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function.

Hypnos datives- These are drugs that depress brain function. They have

quietening and tranquilizing and hypnotic (sleep) effects e.g. benzodiazepines.

Kuber- Kuber is a substance made from leftovers from cigarettes manufacturing in India. It is packed in colourful sachets. It contains 40% nicotine, a highly addictive substance.

Motivation in learning – This is taken to mean interest in the pursuit of learning activities in school as portrayed by parameters like academic achievements, school attendance, participation in co-curricular activities, discipline, absenteeism and conflict with teachers.

Narcotics-These are drugs from the opiate family such as, Bhang, Cocaine and Heroin.