CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background to the Study
Illicit drug use is a common practice among undergraduates and it has turned out to be a norm in the society today. The issues that arise from its use are vast, which leads into a crackdown in many spheres of the society. Illicit drug use is the non-medical self administration of drug to create mood changing effects, intoxication, or altered self-image, despite the knowledge of its potential side effects. One main effect of illicit drug use is reliance and addiction. Thus, the issue of illicit drug use is a universal problem which has poses a big threat to the lives of many individuals as well as society, political and security in many countries across the world.
According to the United Nations (2010), the use of illicit drugs is on the increase across the universe and the global trend is the increasing availability of many kinds of drugs among ever widening spectrum of consumers. One major concern is that children, teenagers and adolescents seem to be the target of the drug industry across the world (United Nations Organizations on Drug Council, 2015). Illicit drug abuse is the use of substance in the wrong manner to such a degree that it misshapes the physical and mental functioning of the abuser (United Nations, (2010). Drug abuse is when substances that are either legal or illegal are used in ways that they should not be used. People abuse drugs to ease off stress, feel good or avoid reality altogether and when they are unable to stop; they become addicted (Kumar & Dangi, 2019). Meanwhile, abuse of drugs can impose remarkable damage to users’ most especially the wellbeing of youths’ in all ramifications. In the United States, the utilization of numerous cognizant modifying substance expanded in the 1990s (Baron & Kalsher, 2017). In 2019, it was estimated that 189 to 385 million people aged 15 to 64 years across the world had used an illicit substance in the preceding year (UNODC, 2019). The estimated global burden of alcohol and illicit drugs use is 5.4% while tobacco is 3.7% (WHO, 2019).
In Africa, the continent has not been spared from the menace of drug abuse by the youth. The continent of Africa in the past years have been experiencing an increase in the production, circulation and intake of drugs with the youths in particular being the most affected (United Nations, 2018). Africa as a continent has huge and vulnerable youth population which has turned out to be the target market for the illicit drug industry. This constitutes about fifty-seven (57%) of the population who are aged between 14-30years, which consists of students in secondary school and tertiary institution of learning. In Ethiopia, it was reported that 82% of children on the streets in Addis Abada use various type of drugs (United Nations, 2018). According to available data, it was revealed that 37,000 people in Africa die on yearly basis from diseases that are associated to drug abuse. In Africa, it was estimated that there are over 28 million drug users (United Nations, 2020). Tarig, Cathrine, Alaa, Hala, Fatima, Asma, Eiman, & Wael 2016) pointed out that the abuse of substances such as drug is on the increase in African countries. A lot of sub-saharan African countries are on the verge of social, cultural, and economic transitions; and these has created an enabling environment for the use of socially disruptive substance. These substances include heroin, inhalants, tranquilizers, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco which have become quite popular among higher educational institutions. The abuse of drugs has contributed to psychosocial problems among youths.
Nigeria, an African country is not excluded from these social problem rampaging universities as evidenced in Ogunsola, Fajemisin, Aiyenuro and Tunde (2020) which compared Nigeria with other third world countries and disclosed Nigeria to be high in the ranks of countries with high number of dangerous drug users. The reason for the availability and prevalence of psychoactive substances was attributed to traffickers using Nigeria as a channel in the transportation of drugs from South East-Asia and South America to European countries. Other contributory factors for this occurrence include peer pressure and the desire of youths to explore and experiment. A research conducted on students in the University of Lagos, Nigeria revealed a great awareness of these students to drug abuse and an inability to properly identify the predisposing factors to drug use and the inherent risks (Ogunsola, Fajemisin, Aiyenuro & Tunde, 2020)
According to Okaza and Aluede (2018) drug abuse by students can result in sharp decline in student's academic performance, increase in absenteeism and ejection from school. Similarly, it can result in fixation and expanded craving and charisma. Social indecencies, for example, taking, battling and assaulting may likewise be caused by illicit abuse because of mental change of the abusers. Illicit drug abuse frequently prompts sedate resilience and physiological response in which the body requires bigger measurements keeping in mind the end goal to encounter similar impacts (Baron & Kalsher, 2017). As revealed by Fatoye and Morakinyo (2018), illicit drug abuse has become extensively wild in Nigeria in the past years.
Students who engage in drug abuse show lower commitment to education, decrease in academic grades, increase in dropout, and high absence rate. Suicides, homicides, and accidental injuries have all been associated with drug use among undergraduates (Ekpenyong & Aakpege, 2016). Besides, there is high occurrence of depression, development lag, lack of interest, dropout, drainage of family financial and emotional resources among undergraduates who indulge in drug abuse (Enang, 2017). Corroborating the above, Fareo (2018) revealed that the regular use of drug as led in a growing number of criminal acts like rape, robbery, cultism, violent disorders and vandalism among Nigerian youths.
Illicit drug abuse is popular and regular among undergraduates; a large number of them abuse substance, for instance, tranquilize alcohol and tobacco. Generally, alcohol is the most used and abused among undergraduates, and it has led to a serious and hazardous issues for the general populace. Jumba (2019) observed that alcohol is the most manhandled substance in the Nigerian environment. Piwana and Haggai (2017) affirmed that alcohol has turned out to be a recreational past time among undergraduates, to the extent that students have discovered another religion in which drinking alcohol is the real ceremony. This alludes to the Kegites’ Fraternity. Ayatse (2017) confirmed that drug use and abuse are precondition for the initiation of cult members. This is to say that taking drugs would make them to be bold in performing a number of their operations. The discoveries of Piwana and Haggai (2017) additionally uncovered that the medications generally utilized at religion and social gatherings incorporate as a matter of first importance alcohol; all clique bunches abused alcohol on a regular basis. Osarenren (2019) explained that decrease in academic performance, constant absent from school and early dropout from school are a number of the school-related problems associated with illicit drug use and abuse.
In this study university, the university environment plays a key role in the development and continuation of substance use among the youth, the influence of the family cannot be overlooked. This is because, adolescent behaviors are influenced by family, peers and the school. The study of Oshikoya and Alli (2016) showed the various reasons why undergraduates indulge in drug abuse, which include, fighting real or imagined failure, to increase self-confidence, or an escape route from bad or unexpected circumstances. They are particularly at risk because they have unchecked freedom, a number of them have too much money, poor role models, peer pressure, and irrational ambition (Oshikoya & Alli, 2016). The study of Ruth and Mullen (2012) reported that the overall results in their study suggest that for both male and female students, those who were not religious were more likely to consume both licit and illicit drugs. In general, students who had “other” or no religious preference were also more likely to use licit and illicit substances.
In another study carried out by Azoondu (2020) on the impact of covid-19 lockdown on adolescents’ substance abuse, as well as social work measures to addressing the problem. The study population was adolescents and social workers in Babcock University in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State. The findings revealed that adolescents used substances as a result of personal factors, boredom experienced, constant frustrations and naggings from the parents and lack of freedom caused by lockdown measures. The findings also showed that adolescents, who used substances, experience difficulty in coping with schooling, encounter health and attitudinal problems and usually avoided interventions.
It is against this backdrop that the present study seeks to examine the psychosocial effects of illicit drug use among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria.
1.2. Statement of the Problem
The problem of illicit drug use among university students in Nigeria is a recognized phenomenon. In spite of the overwhelming intervention strategies by the government, religious associations, non-state actors and many other keen stakeholders to curb the menace of drugs abuse especially among the youths (Whichstrom & Hegna, 2019), where the rate of undergraduates involved in drug abuse has continued to be on the increase on daily basis. This has led to a high rate of clashes, fires and other violent activities within and outside the universities environments and this has caused a great deal of public concern.
The adverse effects of psychoactive substances on undergraduates are far-reaching, and broad. These include disruption of interpersonal relationships especially within the family, criminal behaviour, academic failure, vocational failure and a lack of commensurate achievement (NADAC, 2015). Psychoactive substance use is a leading cause of violence among youth and a major cause of preventable mortality and morbidity (Ekpenyong & Aakpege, 2018). A study by Makanjuala, Daramola, and Obembe (2017) on university students in Ilorin showed that a current use of one or more psychoactive substance of 40.4% with a lifetime prevalence of 78%.
Illicit drug abuse has been found to be the major cases of vehicle fatalities across the world, with attendant effects on physical deformity, health, social functions, loss of property, loss of jobs, loss of self-esteem and loss of lives (Ekpenyong & Aakpege, 2018). The frequent use of drugs has resulted in an increase in the number of delinquent acts such as rape, robbery, cultism, violent disorders and vandalism among Nigerian youths (Fareo, 2018). Majority of the studies conducted in Nigeria in relation to this study are mainly hospital and community based with focus largely on secondary school students (Falaye & Oluwole, 2012; Oshikoya & Alli, 2016; Olatoye & Afuwape, 2013; Omage & Omage, 2012).
Research carried out in Nigeria has shown that drug abuse is common among students of tertiary institutions and this is influenced by factors such as family, economic, school, psychological and financial. The impact of this is a monstrous effect on the society. No one is immune from addiction as anyone can be addicted, and when it occurs, has serious social impacts on every aspect of an addicts’ life. The impact could be loss of relationships, legal actions, and termination of employment, health and in the case of students, expulsion from the educational institute. In spite of governmental efforts at curbing this growing menace of drug abuse by youths, it appears to still be on the increase probably because of the addictive result following its usage (Kanmodi, Omoleke, Aliyu et al., 2020). Similarly, the studies of Omorogiuwa and Ukponahiusi (2017), Omorogiuwa (2018) and Volkow (2020) have shown that substances often abused by adolescents are marijuana, prescription drugs, cocaine, Indian hemp and several forms of alcohol to such an extent that negative impacts are felt on their emotional, physical and social well-being. Consequently, substance abuse results in a situation of psychological issues, whereby constant use makes the person addicted and the urge for such drugs become uncontrollable (World Health Organization, 2017).
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Committee 2018 survey has ranked Ogun State as the worst in the prevalence of drug abuse in the South West. According to the UNODCC Survey 2018, the prevalence of drug abuse in the South West region is 22.4 percent with the number of drug addict at 4,382,000 (Punch, 2019). However, in Ogun State the prevalence is 17percent out of this 22.4 percent in the South West region. This figure is very alarming and needs urgent attention. The survey showed that the South West region, which comprises Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos and Ekiti states, had no fewer than 4,382,000 drug addicts (Punch, 2019). A study carried out by Akinhanmi (1996) on a two point (1989, 1995) prevalence and pattern of drug use survey among medical students in the Ogun State University. He found that 88% and 85% of the students in the 1989 and 1995 surveys respectively, reported lifetime use of psychoactive drugs. However, 45% in 1989 and 29% in 1995 had used the drugs one month prior to the surveys..
In view of this, the present study seeks to examine the psychosocial effects of illicit drug use among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria, with the aim of finding out the areas to focus on in order to mitigate the problem among undergraduates in the country.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
The main objective is to examine the psychosocial effects of illicit drug use among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria. In order to achieve the main objective, the following specific objectives are:
- to find out the psychosocial effect of drug abuse among students in the study areas.
- to investigate the commonly abused substance by students in the study areas
- to assess the psychosocial factors responsible for drug abuse among students in the study areas
- to investigate the measures in place to curb drug abuse among students in the study areas.
1.4. Research Hypotheses
The following research hypotheses are formulated in their null form.
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between psychosocial effect of drug abuse and commonly abused substance among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Ho2: There is no significant relationship between psychosocial effect and psychosocial factors of drug abuse among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Ho3: There is no significant relationship between psychosocial effect and measures in place to curb drug abuse among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
1.5. Scope of the Study
Specifically, this present research is carried out to examine the psychosocial effects of illicit drug use among undergraduates’ adolescents in Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria. The purposive technique is used to select the two universities in Ogun State, i.e., Olabisi Onabanjo University (a state university), and Babcock University (private university). While the simple random sampling technique will be adopted to administer the questionnaire so as to make it possible for both male and female undergraduates in both universities have equal chance of being selected for the study. The data collected will be analyzed using the mean and standard deviation technique. The geographical location for this study is Ogun State, Nigeria.
1.7. Significance of the Study
The finding is relevant to know the health status and pattern of drug use among universities students in Nigeria, and to understand the root cause and device means and approaches to curb the menace.
The finding will be significant to expand the knowledge of parents, university, health practitioners and the general public about the mental and behavioural functioning of university students who indulge in drug abuse.
Furthermore, the finding will help to create awareness about the negative psychosocial effects of illicit drug and substance abuse among youth most especially among the students in the universities and colleges of education. In addition, the finding will help provide specific suggestions to parents and guidance by providing them with ideas on their children drug intake so as to be better placed to ensure good upbringing of their children.
Lastly, the study will avail new study gaps which may be useful for future studies in relations to the research by other researchers.
1.8. Operational Definition of Terms
Drug Abuse: refers to a condition where drugs are used by undergraduates for other reasons other than the intended ones, to create an unnatural feeling.
Drug: refers to any chemical substance which when used for the body can affect one or more of undergraduates’ body functions.
Alcohol: refers to pure, rectified spirit, a volatile, intoxicating fermentation product contained in wine, beer, spirits or other distilled or fermented liquor.
Effect: refers to the outcome of the interaction between two variables.
Dropout: refers to the premature withdrawal of undergraduates from school.
Undergraduates: refers to a student in a university who has not received a first, especially a bachelor’s degree as represented in this study by Olabisi Onabanjo University and Babcock University.
