Study on the Factors Associated with Drug Abuse Amongst Youths in Futo Owerri Imo State Nigeria

This research was a study on the factors associated with Drug Abuse amongst youths of Federal University of Technology Owerri. The study was conducted to investigate the reasons why undergraduates use drugs. The study employed cross sectional survey study designed. The sample size was 400 of which 64% were male and 36% were female. A descriptive study was undertaken in 8 schools in Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in the study. The major research questions include what determines the prevalence of drug abuse among undergraduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri? What is the socio-demographic factors associated with drug abuse among undergraduate in Federal University of Technology, Owerri? What lifestyle factors predisposes undergraduate to drug abuse? To what extent does drug abuse affect academic performances of undergraduate in Federal University of Technology, Owerri? Questionnaires was administered for the collection of the data. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic method whereas quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics frequency and percentages. The research finds revealed that the factors associated with drug abuse are poor parenting (77.7%), peer pressure (94.5%), availability of drug peddlers within the university (72.3%). Most of the students involved in this habit are only aware of the concept but not it medical or social implications. The study makes a number of recommendations which include introduction of drug education as a general study course, and the need for enlightenment of the effect of drug abuse at all level of education. The study concludes that social and economic factors are the main factors which can be used to explain the use of drugs amongst undergraduate in Federal University of Technology, Owerri.