Influence of Substance Abuse on Academic Performance of Senior Secondary School Students in Sokoto Metropolis: Implication for Behavioural Counselling

This study investigated the influence of substance abuse on academic performance of senior secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis: Implication for Behavioural Counselling. Two objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses were stated respectively to guide the conduct of this study. The population of the study comprised eighteen thousand six hundred and seventy students. The sample of three hundred and sixty senior secondary schools two students obtained through Roasoft sample calculator and purposive sampling technique was used. The questionnaire titled: questionnaire on substance abuse and academic performance was validated by expert in the department of counselling psychology, faculty of education, Sokoto State University and the validity index of 0.86 and reliability index of 0.836 was obtained Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the requisitions the social developmental Theory developed by Hawkins and Weis was used for this study. Conclusions from this study indicated substance abuse is a significant problem among senior secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis: The high prevalence of substance abuse, particularly cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, and inhalants, indicates that substance abuse is a serious issue affecting adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis. The finding that 54.8% of students use cigarettes and 45.7% consume alcohol is alarming and requires urgent intervention also peer pressure is the most significant cause of substance abuse: The study confirms that peer group pressure and the desire for social acceptance are the primary drivers of substance abuse among students. This highlights the importance of peer influence in shaping adolescent behaviour and the need for peer-based interventions and recommendation were made students should learn to resist peer pressure and make independent decisions about substance use. They should seek positive peer groups that do not engage in substance abuse. Parents should provide guidance and supervision to their children, monitoring their activities and knowing their friends. Parental involvement is crucial in preventing substance abuse.