SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Drug abuse has been prevalent among students in tertiary institutions and this is attributed to factors such as experimental curiosity; lack of parental supervision; personality issues due to the socio-economic conditions of the students. This study was therefore aimed at assessing the socio-psychological effects of drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions in kogi state, Nigeria. To guide the study, five specific objectives with corresponding research questions were formulated, while five null hypotheses were also postulated. The study utilized descriptive survey design with a sample size of 396 which comprises of students of all tertiary institutions in Kogi State who have enrolled for 2021/2022 academic session. Data were collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using frequencies, percentages with the help of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version and all the hypotheses stated were tested with one-way ANOVA. The study found out that larger percentage of respondents across the tertiary institutions did not have knowledge of drug abuse and also not aware of the socio-psychological effects of drug abuse. It further revealed that most of the respondents use drugs daily, and that they use drugs because it gives them confidence and puts them on high morals. Specifically, it was discovered that vast of types of drugs abused included; Indian hemp, Tobacco, Cocaine and morphine, Heroine and Caffeine, Tramadol, Codeine, alcohol-ethanol, Tranquilizers etc. The study further revealed that so many factors are responsible for drug abuse among students in tertiary institutions in Kogi State some of which are places of residence, income level, peer group influence, religion, education level etc. It was also discovered that the social effects of drug abuse include dropping out of school, shame and guilt, embarrassment, sleeplessness or insomnia etc. while the psychological effects of drug abuse include mental illness, heart attacks, anger, frustration, anxiety, etc. The following recommendations were made based on the findings. Government through the management of the tertiary institutions should engage students in order to inform their knowledge of drug abuse as well as create awareness of the socio-psychological effects of drug abuse. Government through the management of the tertiary institutions should prohibit an act that could lead to sales of vast types of drugs commonly abused by the students especially Tramadol in order to cushion its socio-psychological effects among the students.