Prevalence of Substance Abuse among Tertiary Institution Students in Nigeria (Study of Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology Makurdi)

Youth populations are vulnerable to substance use particularly in developing countries where circumstances may be favor for it. The research study therefore investigates on the prevalence of substance abuse among tertiary institution students in Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used in the study in which data was collected using self-structured questionnaire. Simple random sampling was used to select 357 respondents where only 341 was retrieved and used. Social pressure, Peer pressure, Curiosity or experimentation, Rebellion against constituted authority among others are the factors identify for Substance consumption. From research question two it was discovered that level of consumption of substance abuse is high representing 281 (82 %). Out of many substances abuse by the 281 respondents is tobacco 8.9%, alcohol/beer 53%, tramadol 10.7%, cough syrup 16%, whiskey 5.7% and diazepam 1.8%. Alcohol/ Beer is the highly consumed substance. Majority of the respondents take substances every day 56.2% and every week 27.1%. Those between 21-30 years of age representing 175 (62.3%) are the majority who begins substance abuse. Most of the respondents 189 (67.3%) abuse substances without their parents /guardians been aware of the act. Panic, Irritability, Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis among others are the consequences of Substance. in conclusion, there is high prevalence of substance abuse among tertiary institution students in Nigeria. The creation of awareness and health education should be continued to fully combat the problem of abuse. Some of the strategies include strict enforcement of law against illicit substances abuse, school management and parent need to establish mechanism to reduce amount of money given to students, friends/peer groups control measures by parent/ guardians, punishment of substance abuses by control agencies such as National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and then pharmacies should be restricted against selling dangerous substances.