IMPACT OF DRUGS ABUSE ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL BORNO STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT This study addresses the growing global public health issue of drug abuse, defined as the consumption of substances beyond prescribed limits, which includes the misuse of illicit drugs as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications. Drug abuse is characterized by the intentional use of chemical substances for non-medical purposes, leading to physical, mental, emotional, or social impairment. According to the World Health Organization (2022), drugs are substances meant for medical use that alter bodily function or state. This research aims to investigate several key areas: the impact of drug abuse on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council; the types of drugs most commonly abused by these students; the motivations behind their substance use; the effects of drug abuse on their cognitive, behavioral, and psychological functioning; and the effectiveness of current school strategies in combating drug abuse, alongside identifying new interventions to reduce this issue. The study targets a population of 285 students, with a sample of 200 selected through simple random sampling from three secondary schools. Simple random sampling allows each individual an equal chance of selection, ensuring the representativeness of the sample. To combat drug abuse, this research proposes several strategies: implementing awareness campaigns to educate students about the dangers of drug use, fostering peer support programs to counteract peer pressure, strengthening school policies through the enforcement of anti-drug regulations, encouraging parental involvement in monitoring their children's activities, providing accessible counseling services for students facing addiction or academic difficulties, and forming collaborative efforts with NGOs and healthcare providers to develop rehabilitation programs.