1.1 Introduction
Alcohol use and abuse is a serious problem among young people. There are a number of unhealthy risks associated with it, including alcohol dependence, and alcohol related accidents and violence. There are many factors that contribute to the influence of drug abuse or drug addiction among the Nigerian youths, namely peer groups, parental background (broken home), and emotional stress among others. Young people who persistently abuse substances often experience an array of problem, including, academic difficulties, health-related problems, poor peer relationships and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society. In fact, the most likely cause of death for a 16 year old is alcohol related.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Alcohol abuse in the institutions of higher learning in Nigeria threatens the achievement of vision 2030 and holistic wellbeing (GOK, 2012). According to NACADA (2007), the practice of alcohol abuse has developed to a point where it has become a culture and tradition rooted in every level of university environment and that practice is handed down through cohorts of alcohol abusers strengthen students' expectation that alcohol is a necessary factor for social success. Hagembe & Simiyu (2006) indicated that in Nigeria, the society does not take alcohol abuse as a major problem in spite of the fact that many people suffer from conditions associated with alcohol abuse.
The sociological implications of drug abuse among the Nigerian youth have been a major threat to the peaceful co-existence of all and sundry in our contemporary society, thereby destroying the socio-political dignity, personality and integrity of dependence on life. The various consequences of the drug abuse or drug addiction are so devastating and very shameful to the extent that both the national and international organizations all over the world are also worried about the spread of this scourge among the Nigerian youths.
The widespread of this problem resulted in the creation of NACADA by the government of Nigeria which formed a policy to manage the problem. This may not be achieved very soon considering the porous boundary that Nigeria has and the Police officers who are prone to corruption and can easily be bribed for illicit brew and contra band drugs which slip under their watch. Despite the growing problems of alcohol abuse more broad studies with organized approaches in the world, needs to be revised to produce representative results on socio-demographic factors associated with alcohol abuse in university settings.
The various consequences of the drug abuse or drug addiction are so devastating and very shameful to the extent that both the national and international organizations all over the world are also worried about the spread of this scourge among the Nigerian youths. This deviant behavior happen the breeding ground for other social vices as follows: social violence among youths, armed robbery, mental disorders, 419 syndrome, social miscreants (Area boys and girls), lawlessness among youth, lack of respect for elders, rape, and many more of the social evils.
In the higher institutions of learning, binge drinking has become another social norm. Binge drinking is the habit of having five or more drinks in a row, which could have serious health risks. Although, binge drinking levels are lower than they were in the 1980s, there is still a significant minority of youth who are engaging in this risky behavior. Binge drinking levels increase throughout adolescence and peak at ages 18-22. More than three-fourths of youth age 12-17 are not regular drinkers. It is very encouraging that despite some sensational headlines d tragic incidents related to alcohol use and abuse, data from the past two decades show a continuing trend of decreasing youth alcohol use.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Drug and Alcoholic Abuse among the Youths.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that mental health problems such as depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions frequently are linked to substance abuse among adolescents. Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression; conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. However, even the limited available data indicate the association of substance abuse related problems with several spheres of life. Increasing youth involvement in substance use and abuse is a major threat to national development, family stability and social security from which they need to be protected (Antwi, Adjei, Asare & Twene, 2003).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Knowledge of the Effect of Drugs and Alcohol on the Brain. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out the knowledge and perception of the health risk and other implications of drugs and alcohol use on students’ brain;
- To examine the heavy alcohol and drug use that affect normal neural development and cognitive functioning;
- To identify the factors that contributes to the use of drugs substance and alcohol intake; and
- To recommend strategies of addressing problems of drugs abuse among secondary school students.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How does heavy alcohol and drug use affect normal neural development and cognitive functioning?
- What are the factors that contribute to the use of drugs substance and alcohol intake?
- What are strategies of addressing problems of drugs abuse among secondary school students?
- What is the knowledge and perception of the health risk and other implications of drugs and alcohol use on students’ brain?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Heavy alcohol and drug use does not affect the normal neural development and cognitive functioning.
- H1: Heavy alcohol and drug use affect the normal neural development and cognitive functioning.
