Awareness and Use of Psychoactive Substances Among Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Nigeria

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Adolescence period is characterized by life threatening behaviors such as using psychoactive substances. However, the adverse effects of using psychoactive substances may include cirrhosis of the liver, lung cancers, and chronic illnesses. <strong>Objectives:</strong> To investigate the awareness and use of psychoactive substances among secondary school adolescents living in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. <strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The study method was cross-sectional with descriptive survey design. The research population was all secondary schools students (N = 16973) of Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample size of 2000 participants. A modified WHO student drug use questionnaire on awareness and use of psychoactive substances by secondary school students was used for data collection. Also, relevant hypotheses were formulated and frequency counts, percentages, and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. <strong>Results:</strong> The results showed that a high number of study participants were aware of psychoactive substances but a relatively low number actually used them. Alcohol was the most abused form of psychoactive substance. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> An appropriate psychoactive drug education program should be included in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.