Prevalence and Types of Drugs and Substance Abuse as Expressed by Youths in Calabara

Abstract

The motivation for this study was to find out the prevalence of drug use and abuse among youths in Calabar. The study also focused on the type of drugs that are mostly used and abused. Two research questions were posed one hypothesis formulated to guide the study. The subjects (2500 in all) were drawn from 15 post primary schools in Calabar through stratified random sampling. To collect data for the study a questionnaire on drug types and rate of use was constructed and administered. Data analysis was done using the t-test and the result revealed a significantly high t – value for kola nut, coffee, beer, palm wine, local gin, and factory gin. It was also revealed that the above drugs and substances were the most used and abused. While snuffs and marijuana were the least abused substances. Based on the findings some counselling implications were highlighted and recommendations made..

The Nigerian Journal of Guidance Counselling Vol. 10 (1) 2005: pp. 134-141