International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Drug abuse among undergraduates is a fast-growing public health concern and includes both legal and illegal drugs that threaten both academic and social health outcomes. To address this requires multi-dimensional efforts including co-ordinated secientific enquiries; but there appears to be a significant gap in knowledge and literature on drug abuse patterns of young people in higher institutions in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
Objective: To determine the Prevalence of drug abuse among undergraduate students, determine what typically is abused, and assess the associated effects on academic performance and behaviour.
Method: the study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design; mixed approach; structured questionnaire (3000 respondents), urine drug testing (40 volunteers) and interviews were study instrument. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, correlation analysis and logistic regression were used in the analysis of the data. Results: The pervasive rate of drugs used by students tested during an ADP on campus (20.8%) was primarily THC (Cannabis), and Methamphetamine (MET). The positivity rate in science students was 40%, while in Technology students it was 10%. The causes were mainly peer pressure, and academic stress, combined with weak institutional enforcement.
Conclusion: drug use is still common. It needs to be strongly enforced, there must be more awareness campaigns and more counselling services.
Unique Contribution: This is a study that bridges gaps in self-reported drug studies using empirical drug test data.
Key Recommendation: Mandatory drug testing in universities, awareness programmes targeting students who are within the age bracket and enhanced counselling services should be implemented to curb the problem of substance abuse.