Secondary School Students and Substance Abuse

Abstract

    Substance abuse is a pandemic problem worldwide, which affects politicians, businessmen, sports men and women and students. Substance abuse destroys lives and communities, undermine sustainable human development and generate crime. It affects all sectors of society in all countries; in particular, substance abuse affects the freedom and development of young people, the world’s most valuable asset. The paper looked into concept of substance abuse by students, community malty-approach interventions. The paper partly recommends that community leaders and school/authorities need to be a forefront in Fighting against substance abuse among students.































Introduction

To live healthy is better than to become healthy. Substance abuse especially psychoactive ones by young people has been of pandemic public health problem, it affects politicians, businesspersons, sports men and women and students. Epidemiological surveys in Nigeria have shown that substance abuse is common and is one of the most disturbing health related problems among the youth (Abiodun, Adelakun, Ogunremi, Oni & Obanya, 1994; Anochei, Nkanginieme, Eke &Alikor 1999; Okwonkwo, Ezeani, Ihezue & Nwagbo, 1999). Most of these young people begins with alcohol and cigarette and later progress to more dangerous ones such as cannabis and cocaine (Abiodun et;al, 1994; Adelakun, Makanjuala, Ndom, 2001).   The menace of substance abuse in socio-economic, political, health and education sections brings a setback in our day-to-day life. The probable adverse effects of these psychoactive substances have caused international concern over many years and international legislations have been enacted at various times to control their circulation and use (Butswat (1992). Mc Ardel (2004) added that substance has complex roots; in biological predisposition, personal development and social context. Specific social correlates include parent- child conflict,...