THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN COMMUNITIES: A CASE

STUDY OF WLI-AGORVIEFE IN THE HOHOE AHADO DISTRICT OF THE VOLTA

REGION

BY

NACHINAAB JOHN ONZABERGU

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Department of Sociology and Social Work

1.1 Background of the study

Substance abuse issues today are on the rise and calls for intense public health concern in both

developed and developing countries of the world (Holders, 1998). The use of hard substances

(drug) has negative impact on both the user and on the fabric of the society. The effects of such

an addiction can cause dangerous changes in the mind, body and spirit of the substance addict

(Johnston, et al, 2011). The most disturbing aspect of the use of substance abuse is that it is

reaching epidemic proportions in the whole world. People in all parts of the world are

increasingly becoming addicted to all kinds of substances including street drugs and prescription

drugs. While there is extensive literature on substance use and abuse in developed countries, the

same cannot be said about developing countries. However, in poorer nations the adverse

consequences of the abuse of substances may be beginning to threaten the health of these nations

and their national development (Houghton & Roche, 2001).

Abuse and addiction to hard drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, and

amphetamine cost Americans upwards of half a trillion dollars a year, considering their

combined medical, economic, criminal, and social impact. Every year, abuse of illegal

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3146432

substances and alcohol contributes to the death of more than 100,000 Americans, while tobacco

is linked to an estimated 440,000 deaths per year (Gelder et al, 2005),

The ill effects of addiction to substances abuse can be very difficult to endure, which is why the

addict must be treated for their condition at the earliest. A lot of research has been done on how

addiction to substances harms people and societies (Johnston et al, 2011). In the US, addiction to

substances is quite widespread. For example, one in every five Americans aged between sixteen

and fifty nine had abused at least one substance (Ksir et al, 2002). In fact, about 1.47 percent of

Americans are addicted to substances (Cottrell-Boyce, 2010).

The youth has become the target of major substance (drugs) peddlers. These peddlers sell drugs

and package them as symbols of revolution and freshness but have no regard for the

consequences of their actions (Triplett & Payne, 2004). The youth that takes to drugs are more

likely to commit suicide because of the harmful effects of the substances they are taking (Kirby,

2006). Substances addiction among the youth is killing them morally and socially as well as

psychologically and even physically (Kandel et al, 1992).

Substance abuse among the youth is a social menace fast invading Ghana. Available statistics

from the Accra and Pantang psychiatric hospitals have shown that the number of youth within

the ages of 15-20 involved in the abuse of substances kept increasing from 2003 to 2010. It said

there were 145 cases in 2003 compared to 767 cases recorded in 2010, an average increase of

61% annually and this calls for concern (Kunateh, 2011). The youth constitute a major source of

true wealth, human capital and key agents for socio-cultural, economic and political development

as well as technological innovation of every country (Adu-Mireku, 2003).

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3146432

In spite of the recognition of the youth as valuable resource for the advancement of the Ghanaian

society, a large number of them are affected by the abuse of hard drugs (Adu-Mireku, 2003). In

fact, all preventive measures need to address different forms of substance abuse and addiction

and should also target different types of substance abuse and addictions (Odejide, 2006). It

should also be tailored to address risks that are specific to certain populations or audience

characteristics. It must be aimed specific populations and at major transition points such as at

middle-school level (Peltzer, 2009).

The abuse of drug carries a risk of adverse health and social consequences related to its

intoxicating, toxic and dependence-producing properties. Simple ill-effects of such addiction

include physical itchiness, coma and even premature death. On the other hand, the psychological

ill effects can make a person completely dependent on taking substances in order to survive

(Odejide, 2006).

Substance abuse is one of the top problems confronting the nation today especially among the

youth. Incidences of substance and alcohol abuse and related anti-social behaviour have

tremendously increased in recent years. This has become a matter of concern to the government,

parents, teachers, Non-governmental organisations and all other relevant agencies.

In recent times, substance abuse is of major concern to all parents and community leaders. The

level of substance abuse is startling and even more frightening because of the fact that many

young people are getting wired on drugs each passing day. Alcohol, bhang and tobacco are

increasingly being abused by school going children. A few years ago the most commonly

abused substances among youth were tobacco and alcohol but today opium, cocaine and

heroin have added to the list. Use of sleeping pills, tranquiller, cough mixture, inhalants
such as glue and petrol is now rampant especially among the street youngsters (Gill et al,

1996).

With the foregoing, it is clear how far society has been invaded by the supply and the

use of drugs by the youth. Addiction to drugs is affecting the youth in many ways. The trouble

starts among the school-going children but the problem is exacerbated with abetment by those

who wish to earn money out of selling drugs (Peltzer, 2009). This has necessitated the

researcher into undertaking this study on substance abuse.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

Generally, the study aimed at examining the causes and effects of substance abuse among the

youth.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Identify the causes of substance abuse among the youth.

2. Identify the effects of substance among the youth.

3. Identify the common type of drugs use by the youth.

4. Suggest measures to reduce the use of substance abuse among the youth.

2. Theoretical perspectives on substance abuse

The study looks at some theoretical perspective s to better explain substance abuse among the

youth. Two theories were employed here. These are the “Attribution theory and Misperceptions

and Cognitive-Behavioral Perspectives.

2.1 Attribution Theory and Misperceptions

One explanation of how these false normative perceptions are created and maintained can be

found in attribution theory from social psychology. Attribution theory studies the cognitive
mechanisms we use to assess the causes of human behavior as we order our perceived

environments (Crittenden, 2003; Harvey & Weary, 2005; Hewstone, 2003; Kelley, 2003; Ross &

Fletcher, 2005). Over time, we gather information by observing the behavior of ourselves and

others in a variety of situations; we use this information to sort out and account for the causes of

behavior. That is, we try to answer questions in an effort to bring order to our perception of the

social environment (e.g., Is some behavior characteristic of people in general, only of certain

individuals, or only of people in particular situations? Did someone act as they did because of

personal orientation or because of a particular circumstance?). Thus, attribution theory focuses

on how people need to and do construct causal explanations of events and behaviors (Hewstone,

2003).

As intuitive (albeit crude) scientists, we are always observing ourselves and our environments,

trying to understand why events and behaviors occur. We typically have only limited information

about what we observe, but we nevertheless have to make judgments about our perceptual

environment and try to order it in some way. As we observe things, we use cognitive testing

mechanisms to decide whether something can be accounted for by the particular environment, by

the particular person, or by a combination of factors (Hewstone, 2003).

2.2 The Cognitive-behavioral Perspectives

The late 1970s witnessed the emergence of another theoretical orientation in the field of

alcohol/drug use prevention. This orientation is basically characterized by the importance given

to the acquisition of specific social skills as a way of preventing substance abuse. In other words,

it is assumed that the abuse of drugs is partially due to the absence of adequate social skills

(Dupont & Jason, 1984; Englander-Golden, 1985). This general principle is associated with a

perspective of the initiation of alcohol and drug use based in Bandura’s (1977) social learning
theory, that stresses the impact of different social influences, particularly those related with the

imitation of models such as peers and significant adults.

An examination of the conditions that stimulated the development of these approaches leads to

the identification of at least three distinct influences, present in last decade drug abuse research.

One of these trends, is characterized by the attempt to relate the presence (or absence) of specific

social skills with distinct patterns of alcohol and drug use. Some studies (for example, Horan et

al., 1975; Williams et al., 1983), for example, give solid empirical support to the notion that drug

users, by comparison to non-users, are significantly less assertive, then suggesting that this

evidence may express the difficulties of the adolescent to cope with peer requests for drug use.

Finally, another recent trend in drug abuse research that might have influenced cognitive-

behavioral formulations, refers to a vast body of empirical data stressing the importance of peer

contact and peer pressure as factors that are strongly associated with adolescent initiation to

alcohol and drug use (Logan, 1991). In fact, development of drug abuse in adolescence has been

related both with peer pressure and exposure to drug-using peers, both of which imply deficits in

specific social skills as refusal. The cognitive-behavioral strategies seem to be organized around

two distinct orientations. The first, tries to promote the acquisition of social skills directly related

with situations that may contribute to the initiation of adolescent’s drug use. In this case, the

objective is to help the adolescent to refuse the offer of a drug in a specific social context.

3.1 Research Methods

The research design used was a social survey. This design was employed because it will enable

the researcher to collect quantitative data from the respondents. The social survey design will be

used because it enabled the researcher to conduct the study in a real life situation where
respondents’ behaviour was altered. This study comprised quantitative data. Quantitative study is

where the type of information can be expressed numerically.

3.2 Population
The population of the study is estimated to be around 138,400 people (GSS, 2010), which

comprises 12,450 youth population. Most of the youth in the area have taken into consumption

of drugs which has been a major concern to all stakeholders in the community. The respondents

involved youth who are with the age of 15-30 years only and live in the community for a year.

3.3 Sample Size

A sample size of 279 respondents was selected for the research. This sample size was selected

drug to the sensitive nature of the issue of study as most youth may not like to reveal themselves

as substance abusers. Hence large sample size might be difficult to find. The 279 respondents

were manageable for the researcher as large size may make it difficult during data collection.

3.4 Sampling Technique

Snow balling sampling was used to select the youth. This was adopted to help the researcher

identify the youth who abuse drugs from individuals who know those who know the target

respondents.

3.5 Methods of Data Collection

The study used questionnaires as the main tool for the data collection. The questionnaires which

were administered to respondents to enable the researcher collect first-hand information. A

questionnaire is a form or a document containing a number of questions on a particular theme,

problem, issue or opinion to be investigated. It helped the researcher collect the need information

faster consideration the time required by the researcher to complete the study.
3.6 Data Processing and Analysis
The quantitative approach was adopted in the data analysis. The data was systematically

analyzed and interpreted using table, charts and percentage, the data was inputted in to the

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the results presented in tables and

percentages depicting the outcome of the study.

3.7 Ethical consideration

Consideration the nature of the study which is substance abuse, the respondents were assured of

confidentiality and anonymity of any information collected from them. The respondents were

made to take part in the study voluntarily after their consent has been sought for. The full

purpose of the study was made known to the respondents and not respondent was victimized for

taking part in the study.

4.0 Results
The study was conducted to obtain information from respondents to analyze drug abuse and its

effects on the youth. Specifically, the study aimed at determining the types of drugs commonly

abused by the youth, identify the demographic characteristics or factors accounting for drug

abuse, and finally to examine the effects of substance abuse on the youth as well as to make

suggestion that will overcome the problem. This chapter concentrated on summary of findings,

recommendations and conclusion.

4.1 Demographic factors accounting for substance abuse among the youth.
With regards to the demographic characteristics, the study revealed that most of the respondents

were males whiles few were females, most of them were within the age range of 21-35 years and

most of them were married. Also, most of them were Christians and majority of the respondents

also have had basic education, but a few of them had no formal education. Yet, most of the

respondents were students, some were teachers and a few of them were in the transport industry.
The study brought to the fore, the characteristics of respondents inducing drug abuse among the

youth. An overwhelming majority of the respondents indicated that they have taken hard drugs

before and most of the respondents indicated that the first abused drug at the age between 6-15

years.

Moreover, the finding from the field shows that majority of the people at least takes drugs once a

while but this is not very frequent. The motivating factors that mostly influence drug abuse

among the youth were revealed to be peer pressure and family influence.

The study further revealed that most of the respondents were still using drugs and also majority

of them do not know when they will stop using drugs. With regards to the sources of drugs for

the abusers, the study revealed that most of the abuses get their supply from drinking spots,

schools, social gatherings and form their homes.

Every individual is born to a family and the personality of the individual largely depends on the

socialization that one receives from the family. Another fascinating finding from the study

showed that members of family using drugs can influence the drug use of their young ones.

4.2 Types of drugs commonly abused.

The study again aimed at identifying the types of drugs commonly abused by the youth. An

overwhelming majority of the respondents indicated that Cannabis, popularly known as “Indian

hemp” or “wee” was the commonly abused drug in the community. A significant number of the

respondents also revealed that Narcotics and Alcohol were also among the drugs commonly

abused by the youth in the area. A report by the World Health Organization on the global status

on drugs, that traditionally grown local drugs were very popular, particularly in Africa (WHO,

2004).
4.3 The effects of substance abuse.
The study was also interested in identifying the effects of alcohol abuse. The study revealed that

the major effect of drug abuse was its impact poor academic performance. This could arise either

from the students or from the teachers. The study again showed that alcoholic abuse could affect

the mental states of people. An overwhelming number of the respondents also indicated that the

excessive and regular abuse of drugs serve as a risk factor for diseases. This could lead to the

contraction of diseases such as cirrhosis. A significant majority agreed that drug abuse truly had

serious health implications for the abuser. It can to destruction of lives and properties, accidents,

various types of crimes, low productivity and increased in teenage pregnancy and rape. Yet it

was also found that drug abuse has some positive implication such as helping abusers to do away

with boredom, helps in treatment of some diseases and serve as a source of emotional relief but

the negative implications are far more than the positives.

4.4: Measures to reduce substance abuse

On measures to reduce the menance of drug abuse among the youth, the study revealed that there

should be education on the effects of drug abuse, drugs abusers should be counseled and that

there should be laws to ban certain drugs.

5.1 Conclusion
The phenomenon of drug abuse is fast permeating into the fabric of the society in general. The

study revealed far reaching factors propelling drug abuse, types of drugs commonly abused and

the effects of alcohol abuse among the youth. Peer influence was indeed the major cause and the

fact that most people initiated drug abuse at a very early age.

The most commonly abused drug was found to be Cannabis, popularly known as “Indian hemp”

or “wee”. The overwhelming effect of drug abuse on the youth was poor academic performance
of students. The researcher however contemplates that the poor academic performance of

students could stem from either the students or from the teachers. Even though, health is very

vital in every society but respondents indicated that poor academic performance was the

immediate effect of abuse among the youth.

6.1 Recommendations
The revelations of the study were so interesting that the researcher proposes the following

recommendations aimed at mitigating the phenomenon of alcohol abuse among the youth. First

and foremost is the intensification of educations on the effects of drug abuse. Again the peers

which proved to be the major cause of drug abuse must be tackled once again. Parents and

siblings should each serve as good role model since according to Bandura.s social learning

theory individuals behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation. The proliferation of

drinking spots and bars should be looked at. The district assembly possibly must ensure that

those operating drinking bars have the requisite backing to operate. Finally, jobs should be

provided since the devil finds work for the idle hands. A good number of the respondents

believed that if people are gainfully employed, little chance will be there to actually develop an

abusing culture.

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