Abstract

Drug and substance abuse threatens and tends to derail these noble minds by demotivating students in learning and subsequently ruining school going individuals that the government intends to rely on in driving the economy to the next level. Despite overwhelming intervention strategies the number of school going youths being sucked in drug abuse seems to be escalating day by day. The purpose of this study was to look into the causes and consequences of drug abuse amongst students in the University of Buea, Cameroon.

The study used a descriptive phenomenological design, consisting of a qualitative research strategy. The study targeted 10 undergraduate students from each faculty present in the University of Buea, Molyko vicinity.

Interviews were used for data collection. Based on findings, The overall prevalence of substance use was84%. The prevalence of multiple substance use was 29%. The most currently used substances were tobacco, devil stone, tramadol, and cannabis.

The main cause of substance use was to relief stress and its main effects were quarrels and fights in the form of delinquent behavior, poor academic performance, health issues and abandonment. Peers were the prime source of substance use. In my perspective, multilevel, value based, comprehensive and long term intervention plans are required to curb this problem.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1 Background context of the study

Drug abuse is defined as self-administration of drugs for non-medical reasons, in quantities and frequencies which may result in physical, social and or emotional harm.

The history of drugs illuminates the history of humanity and explores the long relationship between mankind and mind altering substances. Since the early times, herbs, leaves and plants in the form of drugs have been used to heal and control diseases. Plants have been utilized as medicines for thousands of years.

The specific plants to be used and methods of aliments were passed down through oral history from generation to generation. The use and abuse of drugs and other substances is a global phenomenon with a long history. Fraser. et.al 1995 traces the use of chemical substances that alter human behavior to the stone age period, they observe that the Egyptians relics from 350BC depicted opium use in religious rituals and that the Incas of South America are also known to have used cocaine at least 5000years ago, cannabis sativa the common drug has a 5000year history.

Over the past two decades, the use of illegal drugs and misuse of therapeutic drugs have spread at an unprecedented rate, the menace of drugs have strangled the useful population reducing them to dummies, zombies and drooling figures only to waste out the prime of their lives when they are most needed  to invest their energy towards getting achievements or worthy nation building ventures. The World Drug Report 2010 reports cannabis as the worlds most widely produced and used illicit substance: it is grown in almost all countries in the world and smoked by 130-190 million people at least once a year. In Cameroon it is locally referred to as “banga”.

It is believed that cannabis arrived in Cameroon at some point after the 15th century CE, via Portuguese traders operating in the area. This is later than the east coast of Africa, where its thought that cannabis was introduced via the Hindi, Arabic or Farsi-speaking traders  in the 11th century.

After its arrival, the cannabis swiftly became established in Cameroon. However, trade didn’t really take off until the 1980s. the sudden surge was due to two factors. Firstly, the countries cocoa, coffee and cotton industries tumbled due to global prices falling. Secondly, the soil in arable land was exhausted, due to intensive farming practices. Cannabis with its high market value and ability to thrive in poor soil, suddenly became a much more viable option for farmers.

In the 21st century, Cameroon does have a cannabis market, though most of its cannabis comes from neighboring Nigeria.

Cameroons laws forbid the use, sale or purchase of banga.Despite the fact that it is illegal, cannabis usage is common in Cameroon. The countries Anti-Drug National Committee released statistics in 2018, showing that 21% of the population had “ tried a hard drug” with 10% being regular users. Cannabis was the most commonly used drug, accounting 58.54% of demand. Additionally, over 12000 people below the age of 15 have used drugs in the past. The authorities are attempting to address this problem by campaigning against drug abuse use in schools across the country.

The effects of drug abuse has become an endemic in our society to the extent that students in the buea municipality, specifically the University of Buea have also indulged themselves based on curiosity, experimental purposes, peer pressure, personality problems, frustration, lack of parental supervision, to reduce fear, drug availability, poverty, to relieve stress and for so much more reasons.

The motives behind drug abuse by students maybe sociological, psychological, emotional or simply even based on family background. Despite the fact that drug abuse has adverse effects on youths by changing their perception of difficulties and problems, the number of undergraduates that use and abuse stimulants has steadily increased in recent years. This invariantly affects their educational performance as hours that should have been used for study are diverted to rest and sleep due to consumption.

In recent years, Cameroons authorities have taken steps to address the problem, in combination with external organizations, NGOs and other governments around the world. In 2016, the country joined forces with UNODC to launch two interdiction forces, at Douala and Yaoundé airports. In the past, the US has also provided Cameroon with military aid, in a bid to tackle drug trafficking problems. However, this was removed in 2019, due to concerns over breaches of human rights.

Various other drugs such as tramadol, cocaine, marijuana, solvents, benzodiazepine, inhalants ,sedatives, hallucinogens, narcotics and tobacco are commonly abused by students in the university milieu. Hence, making this study a necessity.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Through discussions, write ups and research findings (IBRO 2021, global empowerment in Cameroon) , it has been a known fact that there has been a world explosion of drug addiction for more than a decade.

However in Buea, drugs are freely available and therefore are open to abuse. Abuse of drugs has become a habit that seems to have eaten deeply into the fabric of students and children in schools. No day passes without references to these problems of drug abuse in the press, radio and television

Today, people use drugs for a number of reasons which includes modifications such as to overcome boredom, relieve tension or anxiety. Some simply use drugs out of curiosity and to open their minds to a new sensation. Others equally use drugs to control appetite and relaxation. It is evident that drug use and abuse is a major problem in the Buea university.

Although, students are expected to be aware of dangers of drug abuse and commit their selves to their studies, the habit still exceedingly exists. Drug and substance abuse leads to many problems not just in schools but also in the community.

The problem of drug and substance use amongst students in schools constitutes to serious educational problems that requires urgent attention, this is because the habit affects not less than 40% of youths a few years younger than 18 to mid and late twenties a significant portion being youths in the university.

Consequently, schools are faced with problems like student violence, poor performance in exams, university drop outs. Also the use of drugs has negative effects on the individual as well as the society in context. According to the UN report 1997, drug abuse results to the contraction of HIV\AIDS and other blood borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, anti-social behavior , rise in mass indiscipline, ill health, also drugs threaten security and integrity of a school.

Drug and substance abuse have also been cited as the possible cause of school unrest, violence, absenteeism, truancy and irresponsible behavior amongst youths. Drug abuse has led to deaths through overdose, accidents and drug related diseases such as cancers, mental illness and also suicide; therefore becoming a threat to lives and success of youths. This is evidently a source of sorrow to parents, guardians and relatives. It is also a bi challenge to the whole nation.

The consequences of mixing Coca-Cola and Nescafé coffee and other substances that enhance one to stay awake at night could lead to addiction. substance abuse has some educational, social, economic psychological, cultural, physical and moral health consequences that may lead to poverty, disability, maladjustment or death of the abuser. Its use aids crime rate, injuries to ones health, becoming a social outcast, bringing shame to ones kin.

The present study is aimed at investigating the causes and consequences of drug abuse amongst students  in the university of Buea.  Having in mind the several measures intended to control drug abuse. Its present prevalence and up rise as led me to undertake this endeavor.

1.3 Research Objectives

1.3.1 Main Objective

Examine the types, causes and consequences of drug and substance abuse amongst students in the university of Buea.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

1. Examine the drugs that are mostly abused among students at the university of Buea.
2. To ascertain the causes of drug abuse amongst the students in the university.
3. To investigate the sociocultural effects of drug abuse amongst the students in the university.

Read More: Sociology and Anthropology Project Topics with Materials