DRUG ABUSE

Drug abuse is a serious problem among university students. Many young people use drugs like marijuana and methamphetamine because of peer pressure, stress, or the desire to feel good. This study looks at how people view drug abuse among students at the University of Benin, Nigeria. It explores the types of drugs students’ use, why they use them, and how society reacts to the issue. The research was done through surveys and interviews with students and university staff. The results show that drug abuse is common, and many students use drugs to cope with school pressure or to fit in with friends. However, many people misunderstand the issue, and the stigma around drug use makes it harder for students to seek help. The study suggests that universities should provide more drug education programs, better counseling services, and focus on helping students recover rather than punishing them. This research will help create better ways to prevent and reduce drug abuse among students

This study examined “the role of counsellor in preventing drug abuse among senior secondary school adolescent in Edo state”, with particular focus on Egor Local Government Area. Drug abuse among adolescents has become a growing public health and educational concern due to its negative effects on students’ academic performance, behaviour, emotional stability, and social development. The study sought to determine the prevalence of drug abuse among students, assess their level of awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, examine the impact of counselling services on drug abuse prevention, and investigate whether sex differences exist in
how counselling influences prevention efforts. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 5,788 senior secondary school students (SS1–SS3) in the 12 public senior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. From this population, a sample of 200 students was
selected using an appropriate sampling technique. Data were collected using 200 copies of a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. The instrument was validated by experts in Guidance and Counselling, and its reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, which yielded a coefficient of 0.78, indicating good internal consistency. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that the prevalence of drug abuse among senior secondary school students,
though not extremely high, remains a significant concern. While many students showed awareness of the dangers associated with drug abuse, awareness alone was not sufficient to completely prevent involvement. The study also found that counselling services play an important role in preventing drug abuse by providing guidance, emotional support, awareness programmes, and early intervention for at-risk students. Slight differences were observed between male and female students in drug abuse involvement and response to counselling. The
study concluded that strengthening school counselling services is essential for reducing drug abuse among adolescents. It recommended increased government support for counselling units, regular drug education programmes, early identification of at-risk students, parental involvement, and collaboration between schools and health agencies.

Drug abuse among youths in Nigeria has been a problem to the youths and the society in General. The consequences of drug abuse are not only on the individual user but also on his or her offspring, family and the society, hence the need for it to be given serious attention. The method adopted for the research is phenomenological. This work is expected to create awareness, expose and provide useful information to people especially to the Nigerian youths on the effects of drug abuse and the challenges for the Nigerian churches towards drug abuse in Nigeria.The researcher dwelt on what the church should do to control or stop drug abuse in Nigeria. If the Nigerian youths should stop abusing drugs, they will be useful to themselves, their families and the society in- general.

This study examined the influence of drug abuse on students retention and academic performance in junior secondary schools in Ovia north east Local Government Area. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consists of 6,443 students in all public secondary school in Oredo Local Government of Edo State. The sample for this study
consist of one hundred and twenty nine (100) junior secondary school students purposively drawn from 3 secondary schools in Oredo Local Government of Edo State. Research question one and two were answered while two sample independent t- test was used to test hypotheses one and Fisherz’s test statisyics was used to test hypothesis two at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that: parental involvement in public junior secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area is high, students academic performance in Ovia North East Local Government Area is high., there is a significant relationship between Parental Involvement and Academic Performance in Public Junior Secondary Schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area should increase communication opportunities between schools and homes through introducing various opportunities and modalities that are imperative for
involving all parents and care givers in the schooling process of their children.