EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF HIGHER LEARNING
ABSTRACT
This research is a study of drug abuse among students’ of higher learning; a case study of Usmanu. Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The major research question includes to what extent do students of higher learning indulge in drug abuse? What is the motivating factors? The measure to be taken in rectifies the problems. Questionnaire was administered for the collection of the data and other sources were also used.The research finding reveals that the prevalence of drug abuse is associated with the influences from friends, pressure group, relieve of pressure of academic work, and easy accessibility to the drugs. Moreover, most of the students involved in this habit of drug abuse are only aware of the concept but not its medical or social implications
At the end, we are able to put forward the commendation includes: the need for enlightenment of the effects of drug abuse at all levels of education and the need to take legal measures on unlicensed drug dealers.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The issue of Drug abuse has always been an international problem because it has never been possible to confine drugs to their place of origin. “The scale of global drug problems generated concern as long ago as 1909 when the first international Drug conference was convened in Shanghai. Since then, there has been an extensive international program of legislation, lately under the auspices of the United Nations, and between 1912 and 1972 twelve multi – lateral drug treaties were concluded” (Ghodse and Maxwell, 1990).
In Nigeria, the problem initially came to the attention of research and health care exerts as far back as the early 1960s (Obot, 1993). In hospital – based studies, a pattern of psychiatric morbidity implicating cannabis (Indian hemp) abuse demonstrated by researchers of whom were psychiatrics. What the researchers found was that high proportions of patients admitted into hospitals because of acute psychotic reactions had histories of cannabis abuse. Most of these patients were young students, unemployed urban residents, and low – skilled workers.
The menace of “area boys” across the towns and cities, problems of armed robbery, delinquency among students in institutions of learning, especially students of higher learning, indiscriminate violence in social amusement parks, disloyalty to age mates, elders, parent and even constituted authority by breaching its laws and orders, are some of the social vices which may be related to drug misuse/abuse. Ignorance among the populace and lack of awareness on the use of various drugs and their effects on the body give room for self – medication that may lead to drug abuse.
In the word of Odejide (1993) “The history of drug abuse in Nigeria is a catalogue of changes brought about by such factors as the civil war, unexpected oil boom that followed with its sudden increase in Gross National Product (GNP) and rapid Socio – economic changes and urbanization which also led to disintegration of the family social network, and increase in drugs availability.
Now, the country is facing an
-unprecedented economic depression”.
This is obvious as health education program is not mandatory in secondary and University curriculum and neither is it taught to community at large? This is the work of health personnel in the ministries of education to inculcate
health awareness and wholesome health practiced especially regarding drugs, drugs usage and their effects. There is also
the proliferation of patient medicine stores where any type of drugs can be bought whether such drugs are supposed to be over — the – counter drugs or prescription types, and at times those dispensing the drugs lack necessary training and experience in line with pharmaceutical security – risks to the health of the populace through the possibility of drug misuse and abuse.
The peer – group influence is also counted among possible reasons that play a vital role in drug problems of a nation. Students are seen moving about in-groups both at school and outside the school. Most of the time their ambition is centered how to defy school and home norms and the most available medium by which they can do this is through the use of drugs which give them added coverage to achieve their aims. These reasons and many other factors lead to an indiscriminate use of drugs. Hence, the need for guidance and
counseling in schools should be made compulsory. In addition, it is expected that drug education would be considered as part of the curriculum for secondary school and universities.
As technology improves man discovers the
– pharmaceutical knowledge of investing drugs and testing its effects. Thus, the effect to state the various effect of drugs, and using such terms course side effect or adverse effect, overdose, underdose, abuse, dependence and host of other jargons.
Drugs have been used for pleasure, social religious and medical purpose. It is man’s continuing desire to find cure for all the illness that afflicts him, that had lead to the invention and discovery of more drugs. The interaction of the agent (drug) ‘host (individual) and the environment (society culture) determine the drug-taking behavior in secondary school and most of the higher institution of learning. The drug-taking problem must be viewed in its psychological and social cultural context.
And, drug abusers are easier to recognize, images of young men especially students in squats injecting heroin, of the well- heeled snorting cocaine or of the inebriate under the arches may be reinforced by television, press reports or by walking down the streets of any large town or city. Similarly, patients with drugs and alcohol related problems foru. much. of the day – to – day work lead in causalities, general practice surgeries and hospitals. At a stage, those infected will destroy and prevent them for achieving their goals and lead to death.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
In Nigeria today there is a prevalence of drug abuse, which increase at alarming rate requiring an urgent approach to rectify the problem. Frequent crisis in higher instituting with activities rampaging in the higher institutions has all been linked to students who take to drugs.
This problems which cuts across age group. 10 – 40 and that mostly the youth especially students are involved since the youth are the future leaders, they will replace the older one and whatever the characteristics they develop now will manifest in the future.
1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This research work, is particularly aimed at investing pattern of drug abuse among students of higher learnin especially, students of UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Specifically the objectives of the research work are:
(a) To determine the cause of students indulgence in such a habit.
(b) To identify what students feel are gains derived from their indulgence in drug misuse.
(c) To find – out the means through which students get their drug supply.
(d) To determine the effect drug abuse has on the academic performances of students.
(e) To make recommendation.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
1. To what extent do students of Higher learning especially the students of UsmanuDanfodiyo University Sokoto, indulge in drug abuse:
2. What is the consequence, both at individual and social level of drug abuse among students of UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto.
3. What measure should be taken by all stakëholders to ratify the problem.
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS.
There is no incidence or significance evidence of drug abuse among students of UsmanuDanfodiyo University,
koto.
There is no significant difference in behavior and achievement between the students who take drugs and those whodonot.
1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY
This study will serve as eye opener to some of the problems of students, and when the cause of a problem is known, finding a solution is easier. The study will also expose some of the major sources of drugs students’ use and this will help to find a way to block such.
The research will be useful to guidance counseling who come in contact with these students. It will also be useful to the government in making laws and policies that will help in terminating this social ill. It will also help the student to know the dangers in drug abuse thereby helping them to desist from
it bearing in mind the sorry state of the drug abusers and what they stand to loose and face in the near future, there is a serious need for every one to join how in finding lasting solution to this man – made menace. In order to have more policy relevance, research like this one is important because school mirror the society, and what is taking place in the
school usually get worsen in the school. So, there is the need to address this issue from the concept of Student. Thereby, justifying this study as a step towards extirpating this problem it’s entirely.
1.7 RESEARCH SCOPE
The Scope of this research project will only be on the abuse of drugs one students of UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The limitation of this research project would base on the following:
Problem of respondents attitude: Bearing in mind the ture of this research topic, very few students would be ready to accept abusing drugs.
Time of research project: The time of the project is pecified thus making it difficult exercise.
Finance: Generally, like any other project, it will refuse use of money in carrying out the research.
1.8 DEFINITION OF CONCEPT AND TERMS.
Atthe center of much of the difficulty that surround the• topic of drugs use, misuse, dependence and addiction, is the
difficulty in terminology and description regarding the key issues, popular notions and concepts in this field. It is appropriate to try to define in simple terms crucial words descriptively used daily by both exports and lay public associated with this concept.
DRUGS; is any substance in a pharmaceutical product, which is used to modify or explore physiological system or psychological states for the recipient.
DRUGS ABUSE: is an unusual, wrong and excessive use of substances, which qualify the definition of drugs. It may be excessive consumption or application with or without prescription.
DRUGS ADDICTION: is a state of period or persistent intoxication detrimental to the individual characterized by the ree features:
Strong drive need or compulsion to continue taking drugs.
(b) The development of tolerance, with a tendency to increase the dose to produce the desire effects.
(c) Physical and emotional dependence.
DRUG DEPENDENCE: is a state arising from repeated administration of a drug on a period continues basis.
DRUG TOLERANCE is an adoption state characterized by diminished response to some quantity of drug or drug requiring large to produce the same pharmacodynàmiceffect.
STUDENTS (Survey population) in this study meansUsmanuDanfodiyo University students officially residents in the hail of, residence during 2002/03 academic year.
USMANU DANFODIO UNIVERSITY: in this study means the entire faculty in main campus of the university situated at Wamako local government area of Sokoto state.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REV!EW
2.1 INTRODUCTION.
The problem of drug abuse goes back to historical time (‘1. B. Jack, 1993). The early man has used plant, animal and their product to give him pleasure of relief from pain and suffering. The primitive people believe that the world is full of evil spirits, and that disease and accidents are caused by them. They therefore used anything at their disposal to drive away the evil spirits.
For diseases, especially they tried such things as herbs, and other part of plants to drive away the evil spirits supposedly causing the ailments. By observing the effects of this substance, they identified which ailments respond to what plant or to what substances (Akin A 1987)
It was only in the 1930s that society began to appreciate the enormity of the problem caused by the abuse of alcohol
and the magnitude of the ensuring social and economic maladies. For instances, it was reported in 1961 by Brain committee in Britain that on the evidence before them, the incidence of addiction of drug was very small (Bawa T. B, 2001 tid Jack, B. Y, 1993). This is not to say that Britain had no drug problems among her youth and adults.
In Africa, illicit drug cultivation, processing trafficking Lad are on the rise, although in global terms the problem is significant, it threatening to add another impediment to the continent’s development efforts. If the trend continues, Africa would be faced with a major drug crisis. A study carried out the UN international Drug control Programmed (UNDCP)..indicates that African countries are being used as drawboards for international trafficking by criminal syndicates.
According to Africa Recovery, United Nation, it was reported that in 1996, Africa accounted for 321, 292 kg or 12 cent of world – wide cannabis seizures, but only 169 kg or percent of cocaine seizures statistics reporting drug activity in many African countries, however are not always consistent or reliable , sometimes creating the false notion .t drug problem is under control.
In Nigeria, the history of drugs, as pointed out by Professor TolaniAsuni of the University of Lagos, can be traced to World War II, when returning solders introduced cannabis. With the escalation of drug usage in developed countries in the 70& West African airports were employed as transit points and Nigerians were sought as couriers.
Since the early 1 980s, Nigeria has earned an international reputation as a hub for trafficking in hard drugs. As the trade in heroin and cocaine is very profitable, ever larger number of people were attracted to it. By the 1990s, the menace of drug trafficking had international, as well as national ramifications. Nigerian syndicates alone are said to control an estimated 50 percent of the entire illegal heroin in the world, according to the British Broadcasting corporation. The Geopolitical Drug watch observed: ‘Nigerian networks are achieve all over the world and they have grabbed a respectable share of the cocaine and heroin business.
Moreover, the medical portion of this huge industry is by no means the largest part. Each day, hundreds of.millions of persons take drugs not to the way they feel. Despite strong moral condemnation in some quarters against the use of such substances, which have been shown to represent health hazard, and serve no nutritional function these visceral vices are wide spread. Even where their consumption is accepted for adults, minors are generally forbidden to partake of their enjoyment (Baron A. R. 1992, and Jung.J, 1978).
In fact, all the religion of the world condemn the misuse of drug or. dependency by human being, for instances in Luke 21: 34 – 35; “… But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts is weighted down with carousing, drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day came on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
While, the strongest pointed to the harmful effects of alcohol to man is the statement of Allah (SWT) in the glorious Quran. ‘They question you about strong drink and games of chance. Say: in both is great sin, an (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness —“ (Q2:
219 also see Q5: 90).
INCIDENCE OF DRUG USE
Drug abuse among students in world wide as reported by WHO (1980). 1n Malaysia 4 – 8% of students were used various stimulants sedative and hallucinogens. Similarly, in Zambia cocaine leads the drug market, and 80 percent of it transported to Europe and 20 percent consumed locally including students, according to the country’s drug enforcement commission spokesman MukutuluSiinyani. (Oladimeji B. Y, Fabiyi A. K 1993 and Neal, R. V. 2003).
In Nigeria as in some other part of the world, birds of the same feather always flock together. ‘In other words one may not enjoying the company of others unless he conforms to their name. This type of practice is particularly among students unless one is a smoker, we may not be accepted to that group where all members smoke, and if person decides to join that company but with strong determination not to smoke, the member of the group will mount such a great pressure on him that he too will consider smoking. This is also applicable to other drugs such as Marijuana, cocaine, Lysergic Acid niethyl amide (LSD)
The increasing prevalence of alcohol use/misuse among youth is a disturbing development in a country like Nigeria, a nation already laden with problem of population explosion, huge foreign debts, epidemics etc. something needs to be done to prevent the problems getting of proportion. According to research carried out by Oladimeji, B. Y and Fabiyi A. K; “The trend is an increase in the number, with the age of starting getting lower and lower. A greater percentage of males than females are still observed, despite the numerical increase in the population of female drinkers, the trend in the reason for drinking still remain the same. Most university students drink just for the fun of it”. When the issue of drugs in Africa is analyzed closely, South Africa and Nigeria appear to be in a class of their own. Their drugs problem is critical, sophisticated criminal organizations have already taken hold in south Africa and Nigeria, trafficking, money laundering and corruption are taxing law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice systems. This perception sophisticated and well – entrenàhed, Nigerian drug lords had been operating with relative impurity, provoked this external pressure against the Nigerian government.
In 1994 the US government as it was reported by an Africa Recovery, United Nations, charged that Nigerians anti – drug efforts were unsatisfactory subsequently, General Musa Bamaiyi (Rtd) was appointed as chief of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) sjnce then the General had conducted an unprecedented war – loosing 29 NDLEA agent in the first two years against drug leaders, while on their duty. Although, this high profile campaign has won Nigeria grudging respect all over the world for its commitment, their remain much to be done as Nigerian drugs continue to persist as a major global force. “Nigerian authorities are doing a lot to strengthening their capacity to deal with this issue”, commented MS. Christiane D’Almeeda the African regional representative of the UNDCP. “And what we have observed’ recently is that the work done by the NDLEA has really paid off. Now you have very few arrests of Nigerians in their country. But you have an increase of ‘ drug seizures and arrests in neighboring countries”.
Nigeria has become a case study for the dangerous impact of drug in Africa. It shows how a developing country must expend resources creating special anti narcotic agencies and drug courts for the investigation and prosecution of traffickers and to retard the expansion domestic drug abuse.
The experience of Nigerian and South Africa shows the global drug problem is now indeed an African one. At present Africa has insufficient resources to fight drug trafficking which, it permitted to go unchecked, can divert energy and resources from social and economic reconstruction. However, many government are taking an active stance despite limited financing.
Prof. Asuni notes, ‘Law enforcement is being increased in a number of an African countries known to be involved on trafficking and bilateral and multilateral agreements being entered into with other relevant countries. International conferences, both at regional and inter regional levels, are being organized to. share experiences and exchange ideas in order to improve efforts to combat the problem”.
The reaction in Kenya was typical; accotding to Africa Recoveries United Nations; in 1993 penalties for drug trafficking were increased to life imprisonment as well as fines of KSLimn (16,700). But Kenya also illustrates the fact that
legislation, the next crucial factor is law enforcement. Developing countries were often ill equipped and undermined
to provide the social services for treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers that only industrialized states could afford. Thus, argue experts, the huge costs of managing a drug crisis and serious it can cause to Africa demand stringent preventive measures.
2.2 WHAT IS DRUG AND TYPES OF DRUGS.
Drugs are chemical substances that may be natural or synthetic in nature. The purposed of drug is to correct an abnormality in the functioning of an organ in the human body. The human body is made up of many organs, which function for life to exist, such function may be perfect or imperfect. Drugs are used to correct the abnormal functions of the various organs of the body system so that they function properly. Drugs are equally used to correct the non- functioning of organs of the body to a perfect and correct form. Drugs are either smoked, eaten, injected directly into the
blood stream or sniffed to mention just a few ways. Whatever the mechanism through which they enter the body, they produce changes in consciousness, moods and several aspect of psychological functioning. (Baron A. R., 1992; Hamid G and Maxwell. D., 1990)
While, kind of drugs according to the NAFDAC expert, are of three types: Legal, illegal and socially acceptable drugs. The foremost are drugs obtainable from the clinic or patient medicine stores, prescribed by a doctor for a patient, they. are also called counter drugs. Legal drugs are chemical substances that• must be prescribed by the legal medical practitioner to buy, the administration of such drug must be monitored. Not all patent medicine dealers are permitted to deal on them, only registered dealers are authorized.
Socially acceptable drugs which are the third category are also illegal but socially acceptable, they are dangerous in the sense that they contain illegal substances that has control influences, such influences must be controlled if they must be taken. Examples are kolanut, which contain caffeine a chemical substance, wines, spirits, cigarette; which contain nicotine etc. These are hazardous socially acceptable.
2.3 WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECT?
Drug abuse is the indiscriminate use of drugs by self- administration for non- – medical purposes such that the physical, mental, emotional or social state of the user is adversely affected. When you take a chemical substance, which has a control influence out of your own volition it is a misuse, which is an abuse. Drug abuse is the use of any drug by any person without a doctor prescription.
Although, the Phrase ‘drug abuse is widely employed, this is ambiguous, for an examination of some of the concepts behind this term reveals pattern of abuse which may be differentiated according to their consequences. The WHO recommends the following (Edwards et al, 1981) as quoted by (1-lamid arid Maxwell, 1990):
(a) Unsanctioned use: use of a drug that is not approved by a society, or a group within a society.
(b) Hazardous use: use of a drug that will probably lead to harmful consequences for the user either to dysfunction or to harm.
(c) Dysfunctional use: use of a drug that is leading to impaired psychological or social functioning e.g. loses of job or marital problem.
(d) Harmful use: use of a drug that is known to have caused tissue damage or mental illness in the particular person.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists (1987) definition of drug uses also drawn on outcomes criteria. “Drug misuse is any taking of a drug which harms or threatens to harm the physical or mental health or social well – being of an individual or other individuals, or of society at large or which is illegal to harm the physical or mental health or social well-being of an individual or other individuals or of society at large or which is illegal.
EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE
By and large, misuse of drugs presents multifarious
problems, which affect the individual, his immediate family
and the society at large. Loss of jobs, loss of sense of
responsibility, delinquent acts, dropping out of school,
promiscuity few to mention are some of the social impact of
drug dependence. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS) is one of the latest complication of drug dependence.
Also, the health and social consequences of drug dependence
create major economic loss to the nation (Odejide, 1993;
Ghodse. H. and Maxwell.D, 1990).
While, the effect of drug abuse is sleeplessness, which
has a psychological and physical effect. Truancy in school,
the user is un-kept, criminal tendencies (stealing to get money
for the drugs) HIV/AIDs when needles are shared, lungs and
heart disease, which may lead to death, uncoordinated
behaviors mood change (happy, calm this minute, aggressive
next minute), loss of concentration, drastic weight loss,
prolonged use of cannabis leads hallucination, madness low
productivity: people who take drugs are prone to get tired
easily, they are slow at work, because their entire system, the
lungs, the central nervous system, the bones, the veins have
made weak by chemical substance. This will lead to an
eventual laying off by the company and they begin to roam the
street. Once they are out of job, they will be out of money, and
they will certainly look for money to get the drug, they will
steal parents and other people money to buy the drugs and
compound their problems more and more.
Drug abuse also leads to promiscuity, the influence of
drug makers one want to do what a normal person would not
do i.e. abnormal sex. They jump from one person to another
not knowing the quality of a person they are “enjoying” so they
easily contact venereal disease, and go to affect their spouses,
such unprotected sex spread HIVJAIDS, the end result is
increased in death rate.
As a results, there is urgent need for a policy of demand
reduction in spreading this disease because in many countries
drug abuse who share syringes, needles and other equipment
from a major route of transmission for the human immune
deficiency virus (HIV). Indeed, in some countries the majority of cases of AIDS/HIV infection occurred because of the use of contaminated injection equipment.
Infected drug users can transmit HIV sexually as well as by sharing injection equipment, and infected females can transmit the virus to their unborn child so that drug abuses form the route of access for HIV into the general populations. Because, there is no effective treatment for AIDS and no vaccine against it, it poses a very serious public health problem Thus for the first time in many countries, it is in the public interest to fight drug abuse usng all available means (Ghodse and Maxwell 1990)
Previously, drug abuse and drug dependence has been perceived only as personal problems, with the individual concerned being seen at best an unfortunate victim, but often because of the perceived volitional component Now, because of the threat to public health, there is far greater determination to attack drug dependence, and the increased political will to act against it was reflected by the convening in Vienna in 1987 of the ministerial conference on drug abuse and illicit Trficking (Ghodse and Maxwell,) as well as the traditional concern with controlling the suppressing illicit trafficking, the conferences had a much broader mandate to intensity and extend the scope of international co-operation into new areas such as demand reduction and the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.
In Nigeria, explaining the destruction of drug by NAFDAC, Mrs. Olamuyiwa Deputy Director, drug abuse control (Narcotic of NAFDAC) said that defaulters are always given enough chance tD correct their anomalies failure which will attract the fall of the hammer “Besides, what you see on television set belongs to many dealers and gathered over a long period of time, until they become a mountain height, she also explain that Turkey and Chicken was banned in Nigeria because “the cheru substances used to preserve corps
This is wrong, so we destroy them and take drugs so they do not destroy you” This was saying during the seminar organized by Non-Governmental Organization Prince – Dècson (PDNGO) in conjunction with St Michael’s Anglican Church College (SMACC) The title of the seminar is “The fate o. the Nigerian Youth in decadent society”