Project Materials

THE INCIDENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED SSS STUDENTS IN ESAN CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the incidence of drug abuse has increased, and specialists in the field of drugs and health have warned that if the trend of drug abuse is not controlled, the problems would worsen. Unfortunately, teenagers and school-aged children are the most affected by this condition.

To say the least, the phenomenon of drug abuse is of great concern to individuals, the government, and society in general.

A drug is any substance that, when ingested, changes the way the body operates.

A drug is a substance used in medicine, either alone or in combination, that alters the function of cells, organs, or organisms. Drugs are mood modifiers that modify an individual’s mood over time. Drug abuse can be defined in a variety of ways, depending on the individual.

It can be defined as the consistent and indiscriminate use of both prescribed and illegal drugs, or the use of drugs without a diagnosis or prescription to the point where it jeopardises one’s health.

Our health-focused definition of drug misuse is the self-administration of a quantity or pattern that compromises an individual’s health, social, or economic functioning.

Drug use and abuse or misuse is a phenomenon that has bothered, is bothering, and will continue to bother humanity for generations to come.

Governments, religious organisations, social groups, world bodies, and concerned individuals all over the world are alarmed by the indiscriminate and continued use and abuse of drugs, as well as the consequences for individual health.

Drug misuse is stated to be a serious social problem that affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and ages, from adolescents to the elderly.

For example, Caliendo (1996) says that an estimated 9.3-10.3 million US adults, or 7% of the adult population, are alcoholics or problem drinkers, whereas teens and youth aged 14-17 years old account for 19% of American youths.

The rate of alcohol consumption is alarming.