IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BENUE STATE OF

NIGERIA

By
JACKSON TER AZEVER INGURAN, Ph.D
Department of Educational Foundations,
Benue State University,
Makurdi

CAROLINE NGUYIMAN AHUA

Department of Educational Foundations,
Benue State University,
Makurdi

&
JOAN NIKE ADA, Ph.D
Department of Educational Foundations,
Benue State University,
Makurdi

Abstract
This study investigated the impact of drug abuse on students‟ academic
performance in secondary schools in Benue State. The purpose of the study was
to examine the incidence of drug abuse among secondary school students in
Benue State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The
variables of this study include; Students‟ class attendance and students‟ class
participation. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The
population of the study was made up of 1128 secondary school teachers in
Benue State and a sample size of 240 respondents randomly selected using
random sampling technique. Instrument for data collection was a questionnaire
titled: “Drug Abuse and Students‟ Academic Performance Questionnaires
(DASAPQ)” was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using
mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while chi-square
was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the
study indicated that drug abuse has significant impact on students „class
attendance and students‟ class participation in Benue State. It was
recommended among others that the students should devote time for their
academic studies, students who participate in their academics hardly involve in
taking of drugs, students‟ who miss class frequently significantly increase their
odds of poor grade in a given subject and there is need for teachers to have
Multidisciplinary Journal of Academic Excellence, Volume 21 No 1, August, 2021. ISSN 2141 - 3215 1
 Academic Excellence

greater supervision and regulations on students in school to enhance

effectiveness of school participation.

Keywords: Impact, Drug Abuse, Students’ Academic Performance.

Introduction
The drug Phenomenon is old as the human society. The incidence of
drug abuse among adolescents in Nigeria has been a source of serious concern
for the society. In recent time, the rate at which the adolescents abuse drugs has
been so critical and worrisome with efforts to curb it’s spread and possible
eradication has assumed a diplomatic dimension resulting in multilateral and
bilateral treaties.
Many adolescents in Nigeria have tried one drug at some time or the
other and no one today is exempted from the possibility of becoming a drug
abuser. Also, many Nigerian adolescent are known by parents, counsellors and
government at all levels to have problem with drugs (Afe, 2012). This however
has created a situation in which the boys and girls who are affected by drug
dependences become a wasted generation for the school, state, local
government and could not contribute meaningfully to the development of the
society at large (Okinwara& Okoye, 2011).
The youth especially secondary school students abuse drugs in the
country, Nigeria and Benue State in particular. Drug abuse is now recognized
as having several effects not only on the health but also on the academic, social,
family and economic fabric of many developing countries. Drug abuse is a
common problem among secondary school students in Nigeria such that it has
drawn the attention of federal, state, and local government in the country.
Consumption of drugs is on the rise by Nigerian youths in secondary schools
and this is very disturbing to the students’ performance.
Drug abuse at all indications has negative impact on the students in
secondary schools and their school performance. There is therefore need to
investigate the impact of drug abuse on students’ academic performance in
secondary schools. The existence of drug abuse in the country has made the
study very relevant.
The adolescents in the secondary schools mostly involved in drug abuse
(Oguremi&Okonofua 2008, Nwagwu&Ohiri, 2011). These adolescents are
supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow, but are the ones that are engaged in
drug abuse. It has therefore become necessary to expose the adolescents to the
adverse effects that drugs have on their academic performance through an
investigation of this nature. Student’s abuse cannabis (Indian Hemp) and that is
why most of them have poly users (Femoh, 2011). They smoke hemp, heroin
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 Impact of Drug Abuse on……

and cocaine. They become truants to the extent of spending the fees given to
them by their parents in the purchase of drugs. Hotton and Pickett (2014)
reported that male drug abusers often turn to pick pocket while the females
become prostitute. This brazen abuse of drugs has created problems for good
academic attainment by secondary school students. However, there are different
ways by which drug is abused by students but the ones that brings more
problems are students’ class attendance and students’ class participation.
Students’ class attendance is another factor that drug abuse by students
could impact negatively. Most of the students who are into abusing drug are
found of missing classes in the school. It is the act that students’ academic
performance among drug users is severally impaired along with their level of
responsibility such as skipping classes which clearly speaks to the notion that
drug use is rampant among students in schools. Obviously, successful
schooling begins by engaging students and making sure they come to school
regularly. On the other hand, what is less obvious is that the consequences of
low attendance is not only for the students who missed school but also for the
community because going to school regularly is important to a child’s future. A
child who missed school frequently could be adversely affected academically
and perform poorly in his/her examinations. In consonance, Chem and Kim
(2016) opined that the benefit of regular school attendance by a child is likely
to succeed in academics. Chem and Kim further stressed that students who are
not in school on a regular basis are more likely to acquire deviant behaviour in
event of socializing with wrong peers in the community. Hickman (2018)
tackled students attendance rate and associated problem from kindergarten
through high school and found that drop out patterns were linked with poor
attendance.
Students’ class participation could be due to multiple factors. The first
thought was that student’s reluctance could be due to lack of understanding, but
it could very well be that he does not feel connected to the curriculum; he
cannot relate to it. Students’ who are empowered by their school experiences
develop ability, confidence and motivation to succeed academically. They
participate completely in instruction as a result of having developed a confident
cultural identity as well as appropriate school-based knowledge and
interactional structure. The impact of drug abuse on students’ academic
performance cannot be overlooked due to its negative impact on the society. It
is against this background that the researcher chooses to investigate drug abuse
on students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Benue State of
Nigeria in areas of students’ class attendance and students’ class participation.

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 Academic Excellence
Statement of Problem
The researcher observed that the rate of drug abuse among Nigerian
youths especially secondary school students in Benue Statehas reached the
alarming rate and the effects of abusing drugs are so devastating on students’
performance. The excessive use of drugs is becoming more prevalent especially
in Benue State where its health and social effects have become a major effect
on the economy and social services. It is influencing more people and broader
age groups than ever before. For this reason, all well-meaning citizens of Benue
Stateare showing concern about the impact of drugs abuse on secondary
schools students and their performance.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence of drug abuse
among secondary school students in Benue [Link], the study sought
to;
1. Establish the impact of drug abuse on students’ class attendance in
secondary schools in Benue State.
2. Ascertain the impact of drug abuse on students’ class participation in
secondary schools.

Research Question
The following research questions were raised to guide the study.
1. How does drug abuse impact on students’ class attendance in secondary
schools in Benue State?
2. In what way does drug abuse impact on students’ class participation in
secondary schools?

Hypotheses
The following hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of
significance.
1. Drug Abuse has no significant impact on students’ class attendance in
secondary schools in Benue State.
2. Drug Abuse has no significant impact on student’s class participation in
secondary schools.

Scope of the Study

This study focused on impact of drug abuse on students’ academic
performance in secondary schoolswithin Benue State. The content scope
of this study include: students’ class attendance and students’class

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 Impact of Drug Abuse on……
participation. The geographical scope of the study covered all secondary schools
in Benue State.

Methodology
The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the
study comprised of 1,128 teachers in 39 secondary schools in Benue State,
Nigeria. The sample size for the study was 240 or 21% teachers from 20 or
51% of secondary schools. This sample is considered adequate since it is in line
with Emaikwu’s (2015) ascertain that for a small population, a sample of 10%
and above of the population is adequate. The multiple stage sampling was
adopted for the study. This sampling is applied when different sampling
techniques are used at several stages of sampling. In the study, proportionate
stratified random sampling technique of incidental picking was used to select
schools for this study. Also simple random sampling technique of incidental
picking of teachers from the sampled secondary schools in the state was done.A
self-structured questionnaire titled: Drug Abuse and Students’ Academic
Performance Questionnaire (DASAPQ) was used to collect data from the
teachers. The instrument was a 10 – item questionnaire structured on the
modified four – point rating scale with the response mode of Strongly Agreed
(SA) – 4, Agreed (A) – 3, Disagreed (D) – 2 and Strongly Disagreed (SD) – 1.
This scale was chosen because the flexibility of the scale renders it appropriate
for measuring the items of the variable of the study. The researcher engaged six
research assistants that assisted in the distribution and collection of the copies
of the questionnaire in the sampled schools. A total of 240 copies of the
instrument were administered to the respondents and were retrieved after
completion. The respondents were given five days to complete and return
copies of the questionnaire. This was to avoid loss of the questionnaire. The
descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the
research questions. The decision was based on the real limit of numbers. Hence
a mean response score of 3.50-4.00 was considered Strongly Agreed (SA),
2.50-3.49 Agreed (A), 1.50-2.49 Disagreed (D), while 0.50-1.49 was
considered asStrongly Disagreed (SD). Chi-square test of goodness-of-fit was
used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance.

Results and Findings

Research Question One:How does drug abuse impact on students’ class
attendance in secondary schools?

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 Academic Excellence
Table 1: Mean Scores and Standard Deviation of Impact of Drug Abuse on
Students’ Class Attendance in Secondary Schools.
S/N Item Description
SA A D SD X STD Decision
MEAN
1. Low attendance of 44 121 40 35 2.77 0.93 Accepted
secondary school
students is as a result
of drug abuse.
2. Inability of secondary 43 140 42 15 2.88 0.97 Accepted
school students to
cope with class
attendance average
can be attributed to
drug abuse.
3. Lack of students 163 47 5 25 3.45 0.96 Accepted
excellent attendance
in secondary schools
can be attributed to
drug abuse.
4. A normal academic 54 75 76 35 2.62 0.99 Accepted
student in secondary
schools shows more
commitment to
studies than a drug
addicted student.
5. Irregular class 90 126 24 - 3.25 0.63 Accepted
attendant of
secondary school
students can be
attributed to drug
abuse.
Cluster Mean/SD 2.99 1.00 Accepted
Source: Field Work, 2020

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 Impact of Drug Abuse on……
Table 1 shows mean scores on items 1-5 as 2.77, 2.88, 3.45, 2.62 and
3.25 with corresponding standard deviation of 0.93, 0.97, 0.96, 0.99 and 0.63
respectively. This implies that respondents agreed that low attendance of
secondary school students is as a result of drug abuse and the inability of
secondary school students to cope with class attendance average can be
attributed to drug abuse. The respondents agreed that a normal academic
student in secondary schools show more commitment to studies than a drug
addicted students and irregular class attendance of secondary school students
can be attributed to drug abuse. The cluster mean of 2.99 and standard
deviation of 1.00 were found to be above the cut-off point of 2.50. This implies
that drug abuse has impact on students’ class attendance in secondary schools.
Research Question Two: In what ways does drug abuse impact on students’
class participation in secondary schools?
Table 2: Mean Score and Standard Deviation of Impact of Drug Abuse on
Students Class Participation in Secondary Schools.
S/N Item Description
SA A D SD X STD Decision
MEAN
6. Drug addicted 20 115 105 - 2.65 0.63 Accepted
students sees
participation in class
as a waste of time
when is to work in
group
7. Solving problems in 60 125 15 40 2.85 0.98 Accepted
group is an effective
way to learn
8. Working in teams in 29 141 35 35 2.68 0.87 Accepted
class is productive
and efficient way to
drug abusers
9. Drug addicted 58 125 42 15 2.94 0.82 Accepted
students in
secondary schools
thinks that group
decisions are better

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 Academic Excellence

than individual
decisions
10. Solving problems in 142 62 5 25 3.38 0.95 Accepted
group leads to better
decisions than
solving problem
alone.
Cluster Mean/SD 2.90 0.85 Accepted
Source: Field Work, 2020

Table 2 shows mean scores on items 6-10 as 2.65, 2.85, 2.68, 2.94 and
3.38 with the corresponding standard deviation of 0.63, 0.98, 0.87, 0.82 and
0.95. This means that respondents had agreed that drug addicted students sees
participation in class as a waste of time when is to work in group and solving
problems in group is an effective way to learn and working in terms in class is
productive and efficient way to drug abusers. The respondents also agreed that
drug addicted students in secondary schools thinks group decisions are better
than individual decisions and solving problems in group leads to better
decisions than solving problems alone. The cluster mean of 2.90 and standard
deviation of 0.85 were found to be above the cut-off point of 2.50. This means
that drug abuse has impact on students’ class participation in secondary
schools.

Hypotheses Testing
In order to test the four hypotheses of this study, the chi-square (x2) test
of goodness of fit was used to test the opinions of respondents at 0.05 level of
significance. The results are presented on table 3-4 and the detailed analysis
shown.
Hypothesis One: Drug abuse has no significant impact on students’ class
attendance in secondary schools.
Table 3: Chi-Square Test for the Impact of Drug abuse on Students’ Class
Attendance in Secondary Schools.
Respon Observe Expecte Residu D Loc Chi- [Link] Decision
se d d al f al squar e
Mode Frequen Frequen Sign e
cy cy
SA 44 60.0 16.0 3 0.05 83.38 0.00 Significa
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 Impact of Drug Abuse on……

7 nt
A 121 60.0 -61.0
D 40 60.0 20.0
SD 35 60.0 25.0
TOTA 240
L
A. 0 cells (.0%) have expected frequencies less than 5. The minimum expected
frequency is 60.0
Table 3 shows chi-square value of 83.387, df = 3 and p = 0.000. Since,
P. value of 0.00 is less than the alpha level of 0.05. The null hypothesis which
states that drug abuse has no significant impact on students’ class attendance in
secondary schools is not accepted. This implies that drug abuse has significant
impact on students’ class attendance in secondary schools.
Hypothesis Two:Drug Abuse has no significant impact on students’ class
participation in secondary schools.
Table 4: Chi-Square test for the Impact of Drug Abuse on Student’s Class
Participation in Secondary Schools.
Respon Observe Expecte Residu D Loc Chi- [Link] Decision
se d d al f al squar e
Mode Frequen Frequen Sign e
cy cy
SA 20 80.0 60.0 2 0.05 68.1 0.00 Significa
3 nt
A 115 80.0 -35.0
D 105 80.0 25.0
SD - -
TOTAL 240
A. 0 cells (.0%) have expected frequencies less than 5. The minimum expected
frequency is 60.0
Table 4 indicates chi-square value of 68.13, df = 2 and p = 0.000. Since,
[Link] of 0.00 is less than. The alpha level of 0.05. The null hypothesis which
states that drug abuse has no significant impact on student’s class participation
in secondary schools is rejected. This implies that drug abuse has significant
impact on student’s class participation in secondary schools.
Discussion of Findings
The first finding of the study showed that drug abuse has significant
impact on students’ class attendance. The finding of this study agrees with the
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 Academic Excellence
finding of Pascopella (2007) who found out that attendance in class is
important and students are more likely to succeed in academic when they attend
class consistently. However, students who are into drug hardly attend classes.
Ahmed, Zeynab and Ahmed (2012) found that there is a moderate positive
relationship between students’ attendance and academic performance. Based on
the findings, the researchers suggested that all students, particularly prospective
students and those students who are not as academically strong, to be informed
about the importance of class attendance on academic performance. Bratti and
Staolani (2012) reported that drug abuse affect students school attendance,
hence most of them are found of not going to class rather, they preferred going
where they can take drugs.
The second finding of this study also revealed that drug abuse has
significant impact on students’ class participation. The finding is in line with
Hawkins, Calatano and Miler (2012) who had research finding that low level of
commitment to education and higher truancy rates appear to be related to
substance use among students. (Abot (2005) reported that drug abuse has effect
on brain and this result in major decline in the fictions carried out by the brain.
Young people who persistently abuse drug often experience an array of
problems, including academic difficulties, health related problems, poor peer
relations and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, there
are consequences for family members, the community and the entire society
like conflict between friends, family breakdown, violence, gangs, drug
trafficking, declining in grades, absenteeism from school and other activities
and increased the potential for dropping out of school are problems associated
with students drug abuse. This study support the finding of Kikuvi (2009) who
reported that drugs affect the students concentration span, which is drastically
reduced and boredom sets in much faster than four non drug abusers.

Conclusion
Drug abuse is one of the scourges that are facing Nigerian adolescent. It
has eaten deep into our society to the point that students no longer attend
classes nor neither performs academically. Based on the findings of this study,
it has been concluded that drug abuse have significant impact on students’ class
attendance and students’ class participation in secondary schools in Benue State
of Nigeria.

Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made:
1. Students who participate in their academics hardly involve in taking

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 Impact of Drug Abuse on……
drugs.
2. Students who miss class frequently significantly increase their odds of
poor grade in a given subject.
3. There is need for teachers to have greater supervision and regulations on
students in school to enhance effectiveness of class participation.
4. All schools should set up guidance and counseling offices to be
facilitated by professionals to counsel students who indulge in drug
abuse. This will help take care of the students with emotional needs that
they wish to share in confidence but lack the platform to do so and in
return end up turning to drug abuse. Principals also should invite
specialists often to talk to students on dangers of drug abuse.
5. Parents and teachers should discourage and be firm in ensuring that the
students do not take alcohol which is the most abused in the schools.
6. The parents should also ensure they do not give so much money to their
children and if they do so, they should ensure that the money is put into
constructive use. The fact is that some students who have access to a lot
of money are tempted to buy drugs.

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