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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The term “drug abuse” has varied connotations for different individuals, particularly specialists. Nwegbu (2002), for example, defined drug misuse as when a substance is self-given rather than administered under medical supervision. According to Redmond (2008), drug abuse is defined as taking prescription medications such as barbiturates in excess of the recommended dose without medical supervision, or abusing government-controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or other illegal and legal drugs such as alcohol and cigarettes. In the context of this study, drug misuse refers to the use of drugs for non-medical purposes. Drug abuse also encompasses the misuse of any psychotropic drug that results in altered body processes, negatively impacting the individual on a social, cognitive, or physical level. Social consequences may manifest as an individual’s increased proclivity for confrontation with friends, instructors, and school officials. Cognitive consequences include a person’s inability to focus on academic work and memory loss, such as “blackouts.”

The United Nations Drug Control Programme (1997) and Deborah, Psy, Ellen, Robert, and Jeanne (2003) classified the most often misused substance by secondary school pupils as a psychoactive substance. According to them, the phrase ‘psychoactive drug’ refers to any chemical compound that alters one’s mood, perception, or awareness as a result of alterations in the neurological system’s functioning (brain and spinal cord).

The history of the human race would be incomplete without mentioning the scope of drug addiction. There is nothing wrong with humans using medicines, particularly when they are provided appropriately. Properly given drugs have served a medicinal purpose. For instance, herbs, roots, bark, leaves, and plants have all been utilized to alleviate pain and aid in disease control. Individuals have taken a variety of medicines to alter their moods or perceptions of the environment. Different cultures have created social rituals and norms governing drug usage in order to mitigate the negative effects of the substance on society. Drugs and their usage can have varying cultural connotations. In the Pacific Islands, for example, Alexander, Watson, and Fleming (1997) report that kava is consumed to establish communication with the supernatural, to welcome guests, and to treat diseases.

Additionally, they noted that certain Native American Indians employ a fungus that induces dreamlike experiences to connect with the Great Spirit. Individuals use wine and cigarettes to commemorate important occasions such as birthdays and weddings. According to Nwegbu (2000), there are hundreds of medicines in use today. Many of them, when utilized appropriately, are quite beneficial to man in terms of illness therapy, physical abnormality correction, and commemorating important occasions. However, if medicines are not taken appropriately, they might have significant effects. The most catastrophic effects result from drug addiction. According to the WHO (2005), drug addiction has existed throughout human history. The organization stated that what is different now is the greater availability of a diverse range of drugs and the advancing age at which these substances are experimented with.

In agreement with the WHO, Leary (2010) states that the current focus is on the incidence, extent, prevalence, potency, and variety of designer medicines, as well as the health consequences of long-term use/abuse and government laws. In light of Leary’s claim, the primary focus of this study was on the perceptions and correlates of drug misuse among adolescents. A drug can be defined in a variety of ways. For the purposes of this study, a drug was defined as any chemical substance that alters a person’s mental state and is capable of being taken repeatedly by that person. Debora, Psy, Ellen, Robert, and Jeanne (2008) defined drugs as substances that have a significant effect on the neurochemical equilibrium in the brain, therefore affecting how individuals feel and act. According to Maithya (2009), a drug is any substance other than food or water that alters how individuals feel, think, see, and behave. Additionally, he asserted that a drug is a substance that, as a result of its chemical makeup, impairs physical, mental, and emotional functioning.

Within the context of this research, a drug is defined as any chemical that, when consumed by a living creature, is capable of causing abnormal changes in the human or animal, which may be either positive or negative. It encompasses virtually anything that may be consumed, breathed, smoked, chewed, rubbed on the skin, injected, or absorbed. It covers both legal and illicit substances such as alcohol, caffeine, tobacco cigarettes, gasoline, kava, heroin, cocaine, crack, anabolic steroids, cannabis (marijuana), medicine, over-the-counter medications, food additives, and industrial chemicals. All of these medications have the potential to be used properly or misused, depending on the level of engagement.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (1994), medical professionals use three words to describe the level of drug use, abuse, and dependence. The organization asserted that this medical usage is significantly different from the way the United States Government defines the words use and abuse. According to the authorities, any use of an illicit substance or misuse of a legal substance constitutes drug abuse. According to APA (1994), medical professionals usually define the following terms: Any ingestion of a psychoactive chemical is considered drug usage. Additionally, the APA said that the phrase “simple use” is occasionally used to refer to experimental or infrequent recreational use that does not progress to the point of addiction or dependency. According to Heuer (1994), the distinction between use and abuse is not intended to indicate that simple use is harmless or that any degree of drug use is not potentially hazardous. Abuse occurs when a pattern of use continues despite frequent or recurring social, occupational, psychological, or medical difficulties produced or exacerbated by that pattern of use. For instance, using a psychoactive drug prior to driving a car or engaging in other risky actions while impaired counts as abuse.

Additionally, the APA (1994) noted that the change from use to abuse is frequently gradual, and there is no obvious cutoff point for determining when use becomes abuse. The frequency and quantity of usage, as well as the extent to which drug use has been ingrained in one’s lifestyle, are critical factors. The body defined dependency as the persistent, compulsive use of a drug. The drug may be consumed in greater quantities or for a longer duration than planned. Within the purpose of this study, drug abuse is defined as any usage of an illicit substance or misuse of a legal drug. UNDP (1997) and Deborah, Psy, Ellen, Robert, and Jeanne (2003) classify psychoactive drugs into three categories: depressants (e.g. tranquillizers, alcohol, heroin, barbiturates), stimulants (e.g. nicotine, tobacco cigarettes, caffeine, coffee, bitter kola, cola nut, cocaine, crack, amphetamines, Lipton), and hallucinogens (e.g. marijuana, ecstasy, LSD/A

Though the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse is unknown in Nigeria, there is considerable evidence that the problem of drug abuse may well be growing among secondary school students in both the rural and urban areas of Nigeria (Ogundele, 1986; Ogundele, 1987; & Olabisi, 2000). According to Larson and Simonis (2005) the incidence and Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse often occurs among secondary school students. Merriam-Websters (2006) defined extent as the distance or range over which something extends. He further posited that extents explain the point, degree or limit to which something extends. Hornby (2008) defined extent as how large, important or serious something is, He further maintained that extent is used to show how far something is true or how great an effect it has. In this present study extent refers to the degree or limit in which secondary school students in Ezza North LGA, of Ebonyi State abuse drugs. The life time abuse and current abuse of drugs will be used to measure the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths in Ezza North LGA. According to Smart, Hughes and Johnson (1980) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2010) lifetime use of a substance was defined as ever use of any of the listed substances in a lifetime, while current use was defined as the use of any of the substances in the last 12 months with continuing use within the last 30 days preceding the study. This method was adopted by the present researcher to elicit information on the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths.

According to Okozia and Aluede (2009) the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among adolescents can be determined in secondary schools. Eneh and Stanly (2004) asserted that the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths is high. Encarta (2008) defines secondary school as a school for students who have completed their primary education, usually attended by children in grade 10 to 12. Pearson (2005) posited that, it is a school for children between the ages of 10 to 18 years. In this work therefore, secondary school students are students presently attending secondary schools in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. These included all students at the age of 10 years to 19years who are in the junior or senior secondary school classes.

Swaid (1998) asserted that drug abuse among adolescents within these age bracket is almost always a social experience and a learned behaviour. He maintained that this behaviour has been found to lead to the trying out of new experiences such as drug and sex, sometimes with dire consequence for the adolescents. Adolescence has got various definitions. According to Chinn (2002), adolescence may most appropriately be conceptualized as the period of life during which emancipation with the primary family units is the central task of the individual. Marlow (2002) asserted that adolescence begins when the secondary sex characteristics appear and ends when somatic growth is completed and the individual is physical mature, capable of taking his place as a contributing member of society. According to Larson and Simonis (2004b) it is the stage of life between childhood and adulthood. He further posited that, it is a time when one undergoes dramatic changes physically, emotionally and even socially. Carmona and Stewart (2001) stated that adolescents at this stage reject conventionality and traditional authority figure in an effort to establish their own independence. For the significant number of adolescents, this rejection consists of engaging in number of risky behaviours including drug abuse, they concluded. United Nations International Children Education Fund (2005) defined adolescents as individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 years. This UNICEF adolescent’s age range of 10 to 19years was adopted for the present study.

From the forgoing definition of adolescents, it can be deduced that this is the period when most children are in the secondary schools. Epidemiological survey in Nigeria has shown that substance abuse is common among secondary school students and is one of the most disturbing health related problems among the adolescents (Abiodun, Adelekan, Ounremi, Oni & Obayan 1994; Okonkwo, Ezeani, Iheezue & Nwagbo, 1994). They asserted that most of these young people begin with cigarettes smoking and alcohol consumption and later progress to more dangerous ones such as cannabis and cocaine (Abiodun, et al., 1994; Adelekan, 2001). McArdle (2004) shares the same view with Abiodun et al., and Adelekan, by stressing that adolescent substance abuse usually starts with cigarette smoking and alcohol which are referred to as gateway substances. To them, they are described as gateway because they are the initial substance used before others are tried out.

Several reasons have been implicated in this inordinate trend among adolescents’ drug abuse in Nigeria secondary schools. According to Salami (1997) and Maithya (2009) the trend is determined by the existence of risk factors. According to them, the risk factors associated with drug abuse includes: lack of family and school role models, peer pressure, poor school performance, conflict between the school system and family values, easy availability of drugs, poor parenting, pressure to perform, the media, low self-esteem, stress, legalization of some drugs, lack of clear school policies on drug abuse and relaxed school rules. Salami (1997) and Maithya (2009) further explained the protective factors that make people less likely to abuse drugs to include: attachments with the family, peers and institutions, skills and performance capabilities that help people succeed in life, and availability of resources that help people meet their emotional and physical needs. Given the acknowledged dangers inherent in drug abuse and considering the fact that adolescents of today will constitute the productive sector of the nation’s future economy, sustainable solutions must be proffered to eradicate or minimize this threat to adolescent health and society at large. The present study was an attempt like Salam (1997) and Maithya (2009) to identify this inordinate trend on drug abuse among adolescents in Ezza North LGA, secondary schools.

Statement of the Problem

The human race’s history is also a history of drug usage. Drug usage does not constitute a sin in and of itself. Drugs used appropriately have been a medical boon. For instance, herbs, roots, bark, leaves, and plants have been utilized to alleviate pain and aid in disease control. Individuals have taken a variety of medicines to alter their moods or perceptions of the environment. Drugs and their usage can have varying cultural connotations. In the Pacific Islands, for example, kava is consumed to establish touch with the supernatural, to welcome visitors, and to treat diseases. Certain Native American Indians utilize a fungus that induces dreamlike experiences to commune with the Great Spirit. To commemorate significant occasions such as birthdays and marriages, we utilize beer, cola nuts, and cigarettes. Drugs can be used constructively as medication to treat diseases, rectify physical defects, and commemorate important occasions.

Regrettably, the opposite is true when individuals, especially secondary students, take drugs for objectives other than those mentioned above. These goals include relieving themselves of their problems; altering their feelings, thoughts, or behaviors; and tension reduction/relaxation. According to Onyemachi (2004), secondary school students have used drugs such as pain relievers, alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana to alleviate pain, feel good, sleep, and relax, to stay awake during exams and calm their worries about grades or careers, and to alleviate the burden of underlying problems rather than confronting them practically and realistically. He contended that the comfort gained in narcotics frequently develops into drug addiction. According to epidemiological surveys conducted in Nigeria, drug misuse is prevalent among secondary school students and is one of the most concerning health concerns among teenagers. One area of worry in Nigeria is the extent to which teenagers in secondary schools, particularly those in Ezza North, misuse narcotics. When socio-cultural events like as traditional wrestling, traditional dances, masquerade cult, new yam festival, and other festivals take place in the region, they predispose individuals to excessive illicit drug use and misuse.

Though the perceptions and correlates of drug misuse in Nigeria remain unknown, there is substantial evidence that the problem is rising among secondary school students in both rural and urban regions of the country.This has prompted the researcher to investigate the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study was to determine the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths. Specifically, the study attempted to ascertain the extent of:

depressants abuse among secondary school student in Ezza North LGA;
stimulants abuse among the youth;
hallucinogen abuse among the youth;
drug abuse among the youth based on gender;
drug abuse among the youth based on age;
drug abuse among the youth based on class of study.

Research Questions

To guide this study, the following research questions were posed:

What is the extent of depressant abuse among secondary school student in Ezza North LGA?
What is the extent of stimulants abuse among the youth?
What is the extent of hallucinogen abuse among the youth?
What is the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among the youth based on gender?
What is the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among the youth based on age?
What is the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among the youth based on class of study?

Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and were tested at .05 level of significance at the appropriate degrees of freedom.

Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among the youth is independent on gender.
Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among the youth is independent on age.
There is no significant difference in the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among the youth with regard to their class of study.

Significance of the Study

The study has ascertained the association of age with regard to the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths. This awareness of the data will help the health education unit of Ezza North Local Government Area and indeed the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health and environment to indentify the age of commencement of drug abuse among secondary school students. This will also however, give them insight on how to map out health education strategies at such specific population with the aim of modifying student’s behaviours.

The findings of this study have also reviewed the association of gender as regards to Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse this showed that both boys and girls did abuse drugs alike. This factual information will be of immense help to parent, school administrators, teachers, health educators and government to pay equal attention to both sexes in designing a programme for checking drug abusers among secondary school students.

The findings have also revealed the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths with regard to their class of study. This will be an eye opener to school authorities, principals, teachers and health educators to prearrange seminars/workshop on the awareness of the dangers inherent in drug abuse among secondary school students especially as they move to other high classes.

Scope of the Study

The study was delimited to five secondary schools randomly selected from the ten state government owned secondary schools in Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State. This study was concerned with finding out the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths in Ezza North LGA. The Study was also delimited to the most commonly abused drugs among the secondary school students. The following Socio demographic factors: age, gender, and class of study and their association with the Perceptions and correlates of drug abuse among youths were verified.

Definition of Key Terms

Youth: Youth is the time of life when one is young, and often means the time between childhood and adulthood. It is also defined as “the appearance, freshness, vigor, spirit, etc., characteristic of one who is young.

Drug Abuse: Excessive use of psychoactive drugs, such as alcohol, pain medications or illegal drugs. It can lead to physical, social or emotional harm.

Correlate: It means to have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another.

Perception: Perception is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment. All perception involves signals that go through the nervous system, which in turn result from physical or chemical stimulation of the sensory.

Drug: Chemical agent or mixture agent used for the cure or prevention of disease or for the alleviation of is comfort, pain or anxiety.

Drug: It is use as drugs without the consent of a physician unapproved the consent of drugs which are capable of affecting the state of ability or mind by either depressing or stimulating the central nervous system or producing either biochemical substance that effects the body mechanism.

Drug Addition: Physician and psychological dependence on substance that effects the mind behaviour or sense.

Effect: This refers to those have action of drug on their body.

Hallucinogen: Any of the drugs which produce sensations such as distortions of time space, sound and bizarre affects.

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