AWARENESS AND USAGE OF SUBSTANCES AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

Abstract

The study examined the awareness and usage of drug among senior secondary school students in Anambra State, Nigeria. Four research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted in the conduct of the study. A sample of 1580 senior secondary students was chosen through multi stage sampling procedure from a population of 16517 students. A researcher developed instrument was used to collect data. The instrument was validated by three experts and reliability was determined using   KR-20 and Cronbach Alpha statistics for sections B and C respectively.  Mean scores, frequency and percentage tables were used to answer research questions while 2x4 contingency Chi-square independent test was used to test the hypothesis at  .05 level of significance. Findings from the study include; that both male and female students are aware of many drugs, the most commonly used substances are alcohol, antimalarial drugs,paracetamol and cigarettes. There is no significant difference in the usage of drugs among male and female students. Based on the findings recommendations made include; that the government should put measures to control the sale of drugs off counter and collaborate with the school Administrators to create awareness through health education.