INFLUENCE OF DRUG ABUSE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BWARI AREA COUNCIL: IMPLICATIONS FOR GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

1.1 Background of the Study The global wave of drug use and substance abuse continues to pose a serious threat to educational institutions, which are meant to promote knowledge, values, and discipline (Mclean & Ellrod, 2018). Drug abuse refers to the consumption of substances for purposes unrelated to medical treatment, often resulting in harmful consequences for the user—socially, cognitively, or physically (Kerochio, 2022). Social consequences may manifest in increased tendencies to engage in conflicts with peers, teachers, or disengagement from school activities. According to Kalunta (2022), a drug is any substance—excluding food or water—that alters how individuals feel, perceive, think, or behave. Cognitive effects often include diminished concentration on academic tasks and memory loss. Drugs, due to their chemical properties, influence physical, emotional, and mental functions. They can be ingested by chewing, drinking, eating, smoking, injecting, or applying on the skin. The World Health Organization (WDE, 2021) defines drug addiction as the persistent and excessive use of drugs in ways that are not aligned with medically approved practices. Around the world, drug abuse has become a critical issue, particularly among youth. For many young individuals, addiction can spiral into depression and, in some cases, become fatal. Drug abuse ranges from inhalant use by street children to the consumption of ecstasy, heroin, or cocaine by adolescents (NACADA, 2022). The consequences include not only individual suffering but also broader social costs, such as lost productivity, destruction of school property, increased healthcare expenses, and family breakdowns. Everyone—parents, students, educators, government officials, and the workforce—is affected. In response to this growing crisis, Nigeria’s federal government launched major initiatives to tackle drug and substance abuse. This led to the establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which is responsible for enforcing drug laws, coordinating interventions, and educating communities. At the grassroots level, traditional leaders, including chiefs and their aides, have mobilized efforts to educate parents and students. However, by 2021, drug abuse had become a widespread tragedy in both urban and rural communities. According to Kithi, a local leader, drug traffickers increasingly targeted school-aged children. Although youth are the most visibly affected, even older adults have fallen into substance misuse, especially through alcohol consumption. Consequently, raising public awareness of the dangers of drug abuse has become a national priority in Nigeria. Commonly misused substances include cocaine, Indian hemp (marijuana), Kuber, cigarettes, codeine, and even petroleum inhalants. These substances negatively affect school systems and student academic outcomes, especially among senior secondary school learners worldwide. In Nigeria, Ajayi and Ekundayo (2018) identified drug abuse as a serious challenge that undermines effective teaching, learning, and school administration. The initiation into drug use often occurs during early adolescence due to a combination of financial hardship and societal norms (Kandel & Chen, 2022). Young people typically begin with substances like tobacco and alcohol before moving on to marijuana and other drugs. Alarmingly, secondary school students now misuse prescription medications, including narcotics used for pain management and stimulants prescribed for conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy (Turner, 2018). This troubling trend among youth—who are meant to be the leaders of tomorrow—hampers their personal development and academic success. Turner (2018) notes that prolonged drug use significantly affects students’ educational outcomes. The NDLEA has acknowledged the severity of this issue in schools. For instance, in Abuja, Nigeria, approximately 20% of secondary school students have reported using psychoactive substances at least once in their lives (Alemika, 2018). 1.2 Statement of the Problem Drug abuse has become alarmingly prevalent among secondary school students in Nigeria. The blame has been attributed to various influences including parents, peer pressure, and wider societal factors. Negative behaviors such as vandalism, carrying of weapons, alcohol misuse, sexual assault, examination malpractice, school violence, bullying, cultism, truancy, and school dropouts are increasingly common in secondary schools. Acts of juvenile delinquency and insubordination toward teachers and school authorities are also on the rise. While certain drugs, when used appropriately, can have medicinal benefits, misuse leads to numerous harmful outcomes. Among secondary school students, drug abuse has been associated with poor academic performance and health problems such as heart and liver complications. Additionally, the crime rate—strongly linked to substance abuse—has escalated to worrisome levels. Given these troubling developments, it is essential to investigate how drug abuse impacts the academic performance of students in senior secondary schools. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effects of drug addiction on student achievement in schools within the Bwari Area Council of Nigeria. 1.3 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study is The Influence of Drug Abuse on Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students in Bwari Area Council: Implications for Guidance and Counseling. The objectives are as follows 1. Determine the level of drug abuse among senior secondary school students and examine the commonly abused drugs by students in secondary schools. 2. Ascertain the causes of drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools 3. Determine the effect of drug abuse on students academic performance among senior secondary schools in Bwari area council 4. Establish measures put in place to curb the menace of drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools in Bwari area council. 1.4 Research Questions The following questions have been prepared for this study 1. To what level is drug abuse among senior secondary school students? 2. What are the causes of drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools ? 3. What are the effect of drug abuse on students academic performance among senior secondary school students? 4. What are the measures put in place to curb the menace of drug abuse among students in senior secondary school? 1.5Research Hypotheses H01: drug abuse does not have effect on academic performance of senior secondary school student. H02: there are no measures put in place to curb the menace of drug abuse among senior secondary school student 1.6 Significance of the Study This study focuses on influence of drug abuse on students academic performance among senior secondary schools in Bwari area council: implications for counseling. This study is significant to the ministry of education as it will make them see the causes of drug abuse and also help them devise strategy to curb the menace of drug abuse. This study is of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature and also help as a guide to students who may want to write more about the topic. 1.7 Scope/Delimitation of the Study This study examine The Influence of Drug Abuse on Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students in Bwari Area Council: Implications for Guidance and Counseling. The study also determine the level of drug abuse among senior secondary school students and examine the commonly abused drugs by students in secondary schools. The study further ascertain the causes of drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools. More so the study determine the effect of drug abuse on students academic performance among senior secondary schools in Bwari area council. Lastly the study establish measures put in place to curb the menace of drug abuse among students in senior secondary schools in Bwari area council. Hence this study will be delimited to senior secondary schools in Bwari Abuja. 1.8 Limitations of the study As with many other research endeavors, this study encountered several challenges. One of the primary difficulties was the lack of readily available and accurate materials relevant to the topic under investigation, as well as the inability to obtain sufficient data. The researcher also faced financial limitations, which created obstacles in sourcing appropriate materials and in carrying out the printing and compilation of questionnaires. In addition, time constraints posed another significant challenge. The need to balance the demands of writing the research with other academic responsibilities made the research process particularly strenuous and demanding for the researcher. 1.9 Definition of Operational terms Drug abuse: a condition whereby drugs are taken for other motives other than the intended ones. Academic performance: the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long-term educational goal.