ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to unravel the Psychosocial
Dysfunction among Adolescents who Abuse Substance in Secondary Schools in Ose
Local Government, Ondo State. The study was aimed at finding out the knowledge
of the students on substance abuse, to identify the substance(s) commonly
abused, to determine the age of onset of the abuse and to identify the factors
that influence substance abuse. A descriptive survey design was used. A
questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 students aged between 10 and 20
years. Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS). Out of the 278 completed questionnaires, 224(80.6%) students
have knowledge of substance abuse; 133(47.8%) were involved in substance abuse
(i.e practiced substance abuse); kolanut (32.7%) was the major substance
abused; the average age of onset was 13 years while curiosity (36.8%) and
influence of friends (34.6%) were identified as factors that influenced them. Public
enlightenment/punishing offenders (55.4%) was identified as the main measure to
control and prevent substance abuse. It was recommended that parents/guardians and
the school authority should keep a closer watch on the students while Substance
Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) should be incorporated into secondary schools
with a drug/substance free master and prefects to ensure strict monitoring of
students’ activities.