DRUG ABUSE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

ABSTRACT

This study examined drug abuse among undergraduates of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The two campuses of the University of Nigeria were used as the study area. The instruments for data collection were the questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. The sample size used for the study was 609. The quantitative data gathered were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, using percentages (%) and Chi-square ( x2 ) was used to test the hypotheses; while the qualitative data gathered were analyzed in themes as complement to the quantitative data. The findings show that there is a statistically significant relationship between drug abuse and academic performance of the respondents ( x2 = (N=609), 235.250; df = 2, P <.000). Also, it was discovered that there is a statistically significant relationship between the type of friends one keeps and drug abuse ( x2 = (N=609), 240.657. df = 1, P <.000). Again, the findings reveal that there is a statistically significant relationship between sex of respondents and drug abuse ( x2 =(N=609), 217.203; df1, P<. 000). Finally, it was discovered that there is no statistically significant relationship between respondents’ year of study and drug abuse ( x2 = (N=609), .687 df1, P< .227). Furthermore, the study revealed that majority (60.9%) of the respondents were of the view that what constitutes drug abuse in U.N.N is the abuse of intoxicating substances or drugs like alcohol, Indian hemp and so on. It was as well discovered from the study that majority of the respondents (54.5%) indicated that they have taken drugs or intoxicating substances. The government was urged to make a law that will prohibit the sale of alcohol and other intoxicating substances in our various higher institutions of learning. The study also emphasized that the National Universities Commission should introduce drug abuse and its effects as a course in the curriculum of all universities.