Effects of Drug Abuse on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Akwa Ibom State

This study investigates the effects of drug abuse on the academic performance of secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria. Substance abuse among Nigerian adolescents has escalated in recent years, with reports from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency highlighting growing rates of cannabis, tramadol, and alcohol misuse among secondary school populations. The study employs a descriptive survey design, recruiting 300 senior secondary students from six schools in Uyo and Eket Local Government Areas. A structured questionnaire on drug use patterns and a record of the students' most recent academic scores were used as data instruments. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance. Findings reveal that students who reported regular drug use demonstrated significantly lower scores in core subjects, particularly English, Mathematics, and Chemistry. Peer influence, curiosity, and stress relief were cited as primary motivations for drug experimentation. Students in boarding schools showed higher rates of substance experimentation compared to day students, possibly due to reduced adult supervision. These findings are contextualised within social cognitive theory, highlighting the role of modelling and reinforcement in adolescent substance use. The Akwa Ibom State Government is advised to strengthen drug education in the school curriculum and equip school counsellors with evidence-based drug prevention tools. Community-based awareness campaigns should target both students and parents in vulnerable urban and peri-urban areas. Keywords: drug abuse, academic performance, secondary school, Akwa Ibom, substance use.