Drug Abuse Prevention Programmes and Their Effectiveness in Secondary Schools in Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Oyo State

Drug abuse prevention programming in Nigerian secondary schools has been mandated by national policy yet evidence of implementation fidelity and programme effectiveness at the local level remains sparse. This study evaluated the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention programmes in secondary schools in Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive evaluative design was used, with 360 students and 30 school counsellors from twelve secondary schools participating. The Drug Abuse Prevention Programme Fidelity Checklist and the Drug Attitudes Scale were the primary data collection instruments. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that programme implementation was highly inconsistent, with most schools offering only periodic awareness talks rather than structured, multi-session interventions. Students in schools with consistent prevention programming demonstrated significantly more negative attitudes toward drug use and higher resistance self-efficacy. Programmes that involved student participation rather than lecture-based delivery were rated more effective by both students and counsellors. The study concluded that drug prevention programming in Ibadan South West schools requires systematic redesign and resource commitment. Recommendations included adopting evidence-based, skills-based prevention curricula, training counsellors in programme facilitation, and establishing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for prevention activities in Oyo State secondary schools. Keywords: drug abuse prevention, programme effectiveness, secondary school, Ibadan, Oyo State.