SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG UNIVERSITY ...

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SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE CAUSES,

PREVALENCE AND EFFECT

Dr. Nyege and Dr. F. L. Ogoloma

Abstract

This study reviewed the causes, prevalence, and effect of substance abuse

among university undergraduates from three different universities in South

West Nigeria. The sample size was ISO undergraduates. Literature review

worldwide shows that undergraduates abused different types of drugs in

different institutions. American high school seniors have a life time cigarette

use prevalence of 65%. The prevalence rate of substance abuse by Nigerian

undergraduate is a high as 75%, causes are mainly peer pressure to fit into a

social situation in schools, to experiment with drugs, to escape the crisis of

adolescence, to rebel against the authority and to join cult. The effect have

been the damage to their various organs that lead to physical and mental

illnesses, sometime untimely death as a result of crime/road traffic accident.

The study showed that both males and females abused drugs equally

irrespective of their religious background. Recommendation/advice was

given to the undergraduates, parents, and government to reduce substance

abuse in different institutions and in Nigeria as a whole.

Key word: substance abuse, university undergraduates, causes, prevalence and effect. From the beginning of time drugs have been used in every society as human being s search for substance that would sustain and protect them and also act on the nervous system to produce pleasurable sensation, Santrock (2005). All segment of society are affected, as no population group is immune to substance abuse and its effects; men and women, people of all ages, racial and ethnic groups and levels of education drink, smoke, and use illicit drugs Dennis and Other (2002). Santrock (2005) asserted that these drugs are used for pleasure, utility, curiosity, and social reasons Santrock (2005). Alcohol and tobacco have traditionally been used for ritual, religious, and recreational purposes worldwide. Alcohol have been served as a beverage to soothe the body, served as medicine to induce sleep and reduce anxiety, as anesthetic to kill pain, served for pleasure in marriages, naming, political, festival and burial ceremonies all over the world. Individuals are attracted to drugs because drugs help them adapt to over changing environment. Adolescents are at particular risk for substance abuse because of their need for acceptance and the peer pressure related to this stage of development (Craven and Hirnle 2003). Smoking, drinking and taking drugs reduce tension and frustration, relieve boredom and fatigue and in some cases help adolescents to cope with the harsh realities of their world (Santrock (2005). According to Owumanani (1987) adolescents use drugs for many reasons, some use drugs to stay awake, to study for exams, to satisfy their curiosity as a right of passage into puberty, to prove sexuality, others use drugs as a result of peer pressure, the strong influence of media adverts, and rock music. Some others use drugs to rebel against authority and a way of fitting or belonging to a gang. Societal problems that stem from substance abuse are well known, even legal drug use, such as cigarette smoking, can be deadly. According to Gazzaniga and Heatherton (2003) spousal abuse and other forms of violence are alcohol related. Alcohol is a factor in over half of all fatal accidents, killing over 20,000 people each year. Moreover, one quarter of suicide victims and one third of homicide victims have blood alcohol level that meet legal criteria for. ... Impairment study found out Knowledge Review Volume 31 No.3, December, 2014

131

Dr. NyeKe alld Dr. F. L. Ogoloma

that a-approximately one third of college students reported having drinkers are great risk for exposure to HIVIAIDS. There is tendency to get addicted to these drugs, when adolescence become addicted they lose friends, develop health problcms , start to fail examination, experience memory loss, loss motivation, and alienate their family and friends with their negative behaviours and often unpredictable emotional swings, (Office of National Drugs Policy 2002, and Blendon & Robert, 2000) Teens as young as 13 have often already tried drugs as powcrfu1 as cocaine. They might tell themselves they will only try a drug once, but many teens find themselves under continued peer pressure to continue to experiment with drugs and join the party office of National Drug Control policy (2002). Teen abuse of drugs continues to adulthood. National Household survey on Drug abuse (2003) asserts that the younger an individual is at the onset of substance use, the greater the likelihood that a substance use disorder will develop and continue into adulthood. Santrock (2005) concluded that more (hun 90 percent of adults with current substance use disorders started using drugs before age 18, half of these began before 15. Sexual pleasure, confidence, power and aggression. Expectation lies about the effect of alcohol arc learned very early in life, children see that people who drink have a lot of fun and that drinking is an important aspect of many celebrations, Carlson (200 I). Teenagers may view drinkers as sociable and grown-up, two things that they desperately want to be thus, through observation, children learn to expect that consumption of alcohol will have positive effects. Gazzaniga and Heatherton (2003). As adolescents continue to take drugs, their bodies develop tolerance, which means a greater amount of the drug is needed to produce the same effect. Nigerian youths consume alcohol on daily basis on different institutions. Odejide and Ohaeri (1997) asserted that these youth are binge drinkers and males engaging in this more than females. Binge drinkers reported problems that include, missing classes, physical injuries, trouble with police and having unprotected sex which could lead to sexually transmitted disease: including HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy. According to Passer and Smith (2007) frequent binge drinkers were 7 to 10 times more likely than moderate drinkers to engage in unprotected and unplanned sexual intercourse, to suffer injuries, to drive under the influence of alcohol, to damage property, and to get in trouble with the law. United States of America has the highest rate of adolescent drug abuse more than any industrialized nation. Life time prevalence for alcohol use is one 80% in American high school Alloy and other (2003). According to centers for Disease control and prevention (2000) American high school seniors have a life time cigarette use prevalence of 65%. Wechsler and others (2002) wrote that alcoholism is the third leading killer in United States and approximately 25,000 individuals are killed and 1.5 million injured by drunk drivers yearly. Even if alcohol abusers don't drive, they can still cause serious damage. According to Alloy, Jacobson and Acocella (2003) alcohol can also contribute to the incidence of physical assault and sexual offenses. Alcohol use is involved in at least 30 percent of all the corroborated assaults in which tissue damage occurs and in 30 percent of the deaths (0' Farrell & Murphy, 1995). In the area of sexual offenses pedophilia and forcible rape alcohol use accounts for 90 percent of the drug related sexual offenses, impaired judgment also increases the likelihood of unprotected sex, with the possible consequences of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS (Alloy & other 20(3). . ....Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco are the common drugs youths abuse on daily bases. Santrock (2005) opined that substance use most commonly begins at the age 12 or 13 years and use is rarely limited to alcohol. The general progression typically moves from use of legal substance (tobacco. Alcohol) to use of illegal drugs, with marijuana as the initial illicit substance. Dennis et al (2002) stated that marijuana and alcohol are the leading substance mentioned in arrests, emergency room, ad missions autopsies, and treatment ad missions. University undergraduates from high and socio-economic class get themselves influenced to take drugs through peer group. World Health Organization (2005) Stated that adolescent from privileged

132

Substance Abuse among University Undergraduate Causes, Prevalence and Effect

and less privileged homes get abuse in marijuana and other illicit drugs. 0' Brien and other (2002) agrees that both Christian and Muslim youth's abuses drugs, a result of what they learn from parents at home. In Nigerian Universities, more than 75% of undergraduates use alcoholic drinks to intoxication and 80% of them smoke cigarette and marijuana. Odejide (1987, 1990) asserted that adopted Western style of life has impacted so much on the existing traditional norms that youths of both sexes features prominently in drug abuse across African society. So many studies have been done on undergraduates in Nigeria. This study therefore, is designed to investigate substance abuse among university undergraduates; causes prevalence and effect in South-South of Nigeria.

Subject and Methods This research is a cross sectional descriptive survey conducted in four randomly selected universities in Western state of Nigeria, a total of 150 undergraduates were involved in the study. Data was collected through questionnaire from the four universities. Information collected was on tobacco (Cigarette) smoking, alcohol, stimulant, barbiturate and caffeine substances. The study was carried out between June 2005 to October, 2006. Permission was obtained from the university authorities. The aims d the study were explained to the undergraduates before the questionnaire was distributed. The data was analyzed using the statistical t-test at 0.05 level of significance to test the hypotheses in this study.

Result Four null or non directional hypotheses were tested. They were tested using t-test statistics. A hypothesis was accepted or rejected at the significant level of 0.05. The hypotheses are as follows: I. There will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among the students of Federal and state University undergraduates. 2. There will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among male and female students in the study. 3. There will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse of students from high and low socio-economic background. There will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among Christian and Muslim 4. undergraduate students. During the study, 150 undergraduates filled their questionnaires correctly out of 250 administered 78 (52%) male and 72 (48%) female) overall, 150 undergraduates admitted having abused drugs (alcohol, cigarette, amphetamines) in the past six months and most of them agreed that they use these drugs on daily bases.

Table 1: Shows the characteristics of the undergraduate's Groups State University Federal Uni versi ty Total

No 30 120

Percent 20 80

150

100

studies Groups/Sex Sex Males Female Total

No 78 72

Percent 52 48

150

100

Age Range of Undergraduate Age Range 17-19 20-22 23-25 26-28 Total

No 30 50 40 30

Percent 20 33.4 26.6 20

150

100 133

Dr. Nyege and Dr. F. L. Ogoloma

The first hypothesis which states that "there will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among the students of federal and state universities undergraduates" was accepted. Below is the statistical table. Test of difference between students of Federal Universities and those from state Universities on the incidence of drug abuse. Groups

N

X

S"

State Uni. Federal Uni

30 120

89.23 87.84

776.71 674.5

Standar d Deviation 27.87 25.97

Degree Freedom

Standard Error 5.61

't' Cal. 0.25

't' Table 1.96

P 0.05

Since the calculated 't' 0.25 is less than the table 't' 1.96 we accept the null hypotheses that there is

no significant different in the incidence of drug abuse between students from federal Universities.

rather, they are all, almost of equal magnitude, involved in drug abuse.

Test of difference in the incidence of drug abuse between male and female students.

G.·OUPS

N

X

S"

HSEB LSEB

127 23

92.29 91.13

877.96 743.77

Standard Deviation 29.63 27.27

Degree Freedom 148

Standard Error 6.26

't' Cal. 1.19

't'Table

p

1.96

0.05

Since the calculated 't' 0.19 is also less than the table 't' 1.96, we accept the null hypothesis. We therefore concluded that both students from high socio-economic background and those counterparts from low socio-economic background to the same extent, are aware of the drugs and abuse it in the university. The poverty of the low socio-economic group dose not debar them from either the awareness or involvement in the drug abuse. Test of difference in the incidence of drug abuse between the Muslim and Christian undergraduate students. G r oups Muslim Christian

N II 139

x 92.45 91.13

S2 796.43 743.77

Standa r d Deviation 28.22 27.33

Deg r ee F r eedom 148

Standard E r'ror 8.82

't'

't'Table

P

1.96

0.05

Cal.

0.1 5

Since the calculated "t' 0.15 is less than the table 't' 1.96, we accept the null hypotheses. This indicate that religion is not a determining factor in the involvement of drug abuse among Nigerian undergraduate students.

Discussion of Findings The first hypothesis states that share is no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among the students of federal and state universities. The null hypothesis is accepted. This result has to do with the claim of Brynner (1980) that youths have been taking drugs as a routine part of their peer group life. These groups are strongest in the suburbs of major cities and in rural areas and smaller cities. 0' Brien, Rossi and Richard (1987) confirmed this by saying that youths influence one another greatly especially in the area of drug taking. There is the likelihood of inter-campus interaction and effect. This is also in line with the study carried out by substance abuse and health services. Administration (1995) where 52 percent of American aged 12 or older used alcohol. About 16 percent engaged in "binge drinking" meaning that they drank 5 or more drinks on the same occasion within a month and about 6 percent were heavy drinkers defined as having had 5 or more drinks on the same occasion on at least 5 different days in the past month. Carlson (2001) supported the finding. saying 134

Substance Abuse among University Undergraduate Causes, Prevalence an.::d.. .:E:::.JO"-(l.::.;ec:;.:t

_

that "Drug abuse adolescent is on the rise every where, in communist countries as well as capitalist, in poor countries as well as rich, in rural areas as well urban areas. The second hypothesis says that there will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among male and female students in the study. The null hypotheses is accepted. This is in line with a study carried out by Hawker (1978), in her study of thirteen to eighteen years old, she found that 68 percent of the boys and 66 percent of the girls reported having been intoxicated at the same time during the previous years. While a further 16 percent boys and 10 girls reported having been very drunk on more than one occasion during the year. Plant et al (1985) found that 70.4 percent of boys and 61 percent of girls reported having been drunk to a greater or lesser degree during the previous six months. This also agrees with one national study carried out by the Harvard school of public health where binge drinking was described as having more than 4 (for women) or 5 (for men) who drinks at a time on a least three occasions during the previous 2 weeks (Wechsler, Davenport, Dowdale, Hoey kins & Castillo (2002). Data from the study of 18,000 students at 140 unites states colleges revealed that 50 percent of the males and 40 percent of the female met this bingeing criterion, yet fewer than 1 percent saw themselves as having as alcohol problem. The third hypothesis states that, there will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among lower and upper socio-economic group. The hypothesis was accepted. One possible reason, one can adduce from this result is that university students from both low and high socio­ economic groups get themselves influenced to take drugs through peer group interaction in the campuses. According to Odejide (199,1) and Olatawura (2001) from their studies, it has been discovered that cannabis usage cut across all social class. They agreed that adolescents from privileged and less privileged homes all use cannabis. Odejide and Ohaei (1991) in their study of the patients admitted in Nigeria mental hospitals for drug related psychosis observed that both patients from low and high socio-economic groups all abuse drugs. Akinboye (2004) support the above view when he wrote that adolescents tend to conform more to peer standard rules, values, and aspirations irrespective of their social background to abuse different drugs to intoxication. The fourth hypothesis states that there will be no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among the Muslin and Christian students. The null hypothesis was accepted. It confirmed that both muslin and Christian's students engage in drug abuse. Researches have it that both Christian and Muslim abuse drugs especially alcohol. Adolescent of all groups are influenced by their peer group and they all experiment with drugs and uses it to overcome the adolescent crisis. Davis (2002) asserted that absence of social control from family and friends could be responsible for both Christian and Muslims youths abusing drugs in higher institutions. This claim is in line with the study carried out by Akinboye (2003) that states that there was no significant difference in the pattern of drug abuse among Christian and Muslim undergraduates in Nigeria.

Conclusion Parents, significant others, teachers should be role models to these adolescents by minimizing drug abuse in different homes/schools. Adolescents should seek advice from significant other/counsellors /clinical psychologist etc than peers in times of crisis. Government should ban the sales of these abuse drugs in the shops. The public should be educated on the intake and complications of these drugs (campaign against drug abuse). Treatment of adolescents adults should commence immediately any side effect is noticed. 135

Dr. Nyege and Dr. F. L. Ogolollla

Rehabilitation centres should be built in all states of Nigeria to treat those that are battered by these drugs. Government and rich individuals should sponsor it.

Recommendations Drug education should be taught in the primary schools during the pupil's formative years. This will help them to understand the uses and side effects of drug use. Drug education should be included in the curriculum for secondary and tertiary institutions, to remind them of the adverse effect of the use and abuse of drugs, people who are aware of the effect of various drugs. Public enlightenment programmes should be intensified. This could be done through the mass media, like the radio, television, program, newspaper. through paid advertisement, handbills, posters, bill-board and through seminars, conferences and workshops. Positive advertisements should not be made as they entice the youths to engage in smoking as they imitate the models used for the advertisement. Parents should advice their children against indiscriminate taking of drugs. Parents should live an exemplary life worthy of emulation by their children. Parents who abuse drugs should seek professional counselors for help and when they are treated, they should make up [or their short comings. Government should vote more money for health care and drugs made available to hospitals to serve the people equally. Only qualified pharmacists should operate pharmacy stores, parents medicine stores should only be given to qualified nurses and quarks should be eradicated in the Federation. All these will minimize the use and abuse of drugs. Alcohol should also be banned and should not be sold in university campuses primary schools and in public places especially by hawkers in the motor parks as this affect our youths and adults. Employment opportunities should be provided by the government to the young school leavers and they should improve standard of living to all citizens. Rehabilitation centres should be made available by the state and Federal governments to treat the drug addicts. More Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists. social workers and other health personnel should be recruited to meet the high demand of the patients. There should be fellow up program for these drug addicts for quick recovery. Mental health services including drug abuse programs should be integrated in the primary health care program. Finally, counsellors should be sent to schools to guide the youths on how to solve their problems without resorting to the use of drugs. We should also teach our children the fear and word of God which will be a guiding principles in their lives as they grow to adulthood.

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Substance Abuse amo/lg University Undergradllate Causes, Prevalence and Effect

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