THE PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG ADOLESCENCE IN UNION BOYS SECONDARY SCHOOL AWKUNANAW ENUGU

The study aims to assess the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use among secondary school adolescences in Union boys. The objectives of the study are to assess the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among adolescent in union boys secondary school Enugu, to identify the pattern of psychoactive substance, use among adolescent in union boys secondary school Enugu, to determine factors influencing the use of psychoactive substance use among adolescent in union boys secondary school Enugu. A cross-sectional non-experimental descriptive questionnaire-based design and convenient simple sampling method was used to select a sample size of 272 students. Data was collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire Organization and analysis of data was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study was arranged from chapters 1- 5 with chapter one spanning from the background to the study to operational definition of terms. Chapter two contained the literature review while chapter three encompassed sampling techniques, method of data collection and analyses. Data were presented in tables with frequency, mean, percentage and p-value in chapter four while discussion of major findings, summary, conclusion, and recommendations were done in chapter five. The results of the study revealed high prevalence of psychoactive substance use among adolescences. A few number of students are currently not indulging in the use of psychoactive substances especially alcohol use, although the ratio when compared to the rate of use is 1:4. Prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use were dependent on some demographic factors like current age at first use, religion and ethnicity, and are independent on other demographic factors.