INFLUENCE OF PEER PRESSURE ON DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of peer pressure on drug abuse among students in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State. The research aimed to determine the extent to which peer pressure affects students’ involvement in drug use, identify the forms of peer pressure that encourage substance use, and examine the types of drugs commonly abused under peer influence. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with the population consisting of 191,155 students from 311 public senior secondary schools. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select participants, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Peer Pressure and Drug Abuse Questionnaire (PPDAQ), validated by experts and tested for reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations. The findings revealed that peer pressure moderately to highly influences students’ drug use, with social admiration and peer expectations being the strongest forms of influence. Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs were identified as the most commonly abused substances under peer influence. The overall set mean scores indicated moderate exposure to peer pressure and moderate prevalence of drug use among students. The study concluded that peer influence is a significant determinant of adolescent drug abuse in public senior secondary schools. Recommendations were made for the implementation of peer education programs, strengthening school counselling services, parental engagement, and community-based interventions to reduce peer-related substance use among students.