INFLUENCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN OYO TOWN, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the effect of substance abuse on the academic performance of secondary school students in science subjects in Oyo Town, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design with a correlational approach was adopted. A sample of 250 students was selected from five public secondary schools using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Substance Abuse and Academic Performance Questionnaire (SAAPQ) and students’ academic records. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression analysis) were used for data analysis at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that a majority of students engaged in moderate to high levels of substance abuse, while most recorded average to low academic performance in science subjects. A significant negative relationship (r = -0.62, p < 0.05) was found between substance abuse and academic performance. Regression analysis further showed that substance abuse significantly predicted academic performance (R² = 0.37). The study concludes that substance abuse adversely affects students’ academic outcomes. Recommendations were made for counselling, sensitization, and stricter drug control in schools.