EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AREA OF BORNO STATE

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this project is to determine the Effects of Drug Abuse on Academic Performance IN Senior Secondary Schools (A Case Study of Askira/UBA Local Government Area of Borno State). Three (3) Objectives and research questions were drawn to guide the study which includes; to identify common types of drugs abused by students in secondary schools in MMC; to explore the causes of drug abuse among students in secondary to Find out the relationship between students academic performance and drug abuse, to determined the factors that lead to drug abuse among students in the three selected secondary schools in Maiduguri metropolis and to find-out remedies/solutions to drug abuse among students of the selected schools and others. The research study adopted descriptive research method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select to respondents. Based on the findings of the study, it revealed that students see the use of stimulants in positive terms for relief, from pain and problems, elevation of mood, wakefulness, increased confidence, feeling and psychomotor activities and athletics, and feeling of euphoria. The different drugs used by students were identified as alcohol and hot drinks, Indian Hemp, tobacco, and marijuana. Peer group influence the contributes to abuse of drugs by students as friends associates either coerce or cojole one another to partake in drug abuse. In conclusion, more deaths, illness and disabilities stem from substances abuse than from any other preventable health condition. It was therefore recommended that the school authority with the aid of the ministry of health should organize a workshop on drug abuse educating the students on the dangers of drug abuse; the school authority should ensure that drugs are not sold in their schools so as to discourages the abuse of drugs among students; and the students should be taught how to study hard and pass their examinations without resulting to drug abuse.