PERCEPTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONGST STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study examines the perception of substance abuse amongst students in Benson Idahosa University in Edo State, Nigeria. Students were surveyed at Benson Idahosa University, Benin, allowing for a diverse sample that included a large percentage of the students from different faculties and departments. The undergraduate students were surveyed with a structured������� self-reporting anonymous questionnaire. Of the 150 students surveyed, a total of 140 responded to the questionnaire. Majority of the students were aged 18-28 years and unmarried. Eighty-Five students claimed they were aware of drug abuse, but contrarily they demonstrated poor knowledge and awareness. Marijuana was the most common substance of abuse seen by most of the students. They were unable to identify very well the predisposing factors to substance use and the attending risks. The study also revealed the poor attitudes of the undergraduates to drug addicts even after rehabilitation. It was therefore concluded that the awareness, knowledge, practices and attitudes of Benson Idahosa University students towards substance abuse is very poor. Considerably more research is needed to develop effective prevention strategy that combines school based interventions with those affecting the family, social institutions and the larger community.

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urn:uuid:7a065d6e-a8f8-450a-ac94-eded849c60ec