ABSTRACT
This present study investigated the factors and common problems associated with drug abuse
among undergraduates’ students at the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State.
A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted for the study, and data was obtained from
266 undergraduate students using a structured questionnaire. From the present study, most of the
drug users’ age bracket falls between 15-20 years 72.1% and is almost equally distributed between
females 50.4% and males 49.6%. The most pronounced contributing factor was found to be peer
influence, with 74.2% acknowledging this. These are characterized by some of the health
consequences that include reckless behavior 75.4%, impaired thinking 71.3%, and restlessness
75.0%. The socioeconomic consequences are also enormous: 73.7% reported reduced academic
performance, 61.3% reported reduced savings, and 48.8% needed to go to the hospital more often
than usual. Family structure is found to be significantly associated with drug abuse (p<0.05). This
study calls for comprehensive intervention strategies, including strengthening counseling services,
strict implementation of policies, and substantial support systems among the affected students. The
findings have brought to the fore that drug abuse needs a multi-faceted approach with institutional,
family, and community involvement in effectively tackling this increasing menace among
undergraduate’s students in Niger Delta university.
Key words: Drug abuse, associated problems, health consequences, socioeconomic
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