Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to explore the phenomenon of substance abuse among
students in Ghanaian Second Cycle institutions with focus on Apam Senior High
School. The population for this study comprised students in Apam Senior High
School. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and descriptive survey design.
A sample of 246 students were selected for the study. questionnaire and interview
guide were used for data collection. The scores of each item on the questionnaire was
organized, statistically compiled and entered into SPSS to obtain the frequency,
percentage and the mean and standard deviation values of each item. The interview
data was analysed using thematic analyses approach. The study revealed that students
of Apam Senior High School abused various substances which include liquid and
solid substances. The liquid substances include both local and exotic imported
alcoholic beverages such as akpeteshie, palmwine, Guinness, beer, dry gin among
others. The study pointed out that peer pressure, poor parental control, energy from
drugs to study for more hours, curiosity and availability of drugs were reasons why
the students of Apam Senior High School abuse substance. The study also revealed
that the adverse Socio– economic effects associated with substances abuse among
students of Apam Senior High School were immoral behaviour, mental disorder,
Physical deficiencies, Crime and violence and Substance abuse undermines student’s
academic ability. The study recommended that through PTA, parents should be
encouraged to become involved in broad preventive efforts; they have a crucial role to
play in preventing drug abuse among their children through their role as parents. The
district through District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) Members should
encourage parents to take active role in their children’s lives, by talking with them
about drugs, monitoring their activities, get to know their playmates, showing
concerns to their problems, and attending PTAs to interacts with their wards teachers.
The school counselling coordinator should engage students to involve themselves in
various academic and sporting activities.
Description:
A dissertation in the Department of Social Studies,
Faculty of Social Sciences Education, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Education
(Social Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba