GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined guidance and counselling as a strategy for preventing drug abuse among students in tertiary institutions in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives: to examine guidance and counselling strategies employed in preventing drug abuse among students and to determine the effectiveness of guidance and counselling services in preventing drug abuse among students in tertiary institutions in Adamawa State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study is 13,758 which comprised students and staff of guidance and counseling of selected tertiary institutions in Adamawa State. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling technique, out of which 371 questionnaires were duly completed and returned, representing a response rate of 92.75%. The Statistical package for the social science (SPSS) was used to determine the reliability and item consistency index from Cronbach Alpha. From the test conducted, the internal consistency coefficient obtained is 0.70 this mean that the instrument was reliable and internally consistent for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations, while the hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that guidance and counselling strategies such as seminars, orientation programmes, individual counselling, group counselling, peer counselling, awareness campaigns, and referral services are widely employed in tertiary institutions to prevent drug abuse among students. The hypotheses tested indicated that there is a significant relationship between guidance and counselling strategies and the prevention of drug abuse among students. The study concluded that guidance and counselling play a vital role in preventing drug abuse among students and contribute significantly to creating a healthy academic environment. It was recommended that tertiary institutions should strengthen counselling units, employ qualified counsellors, and organize regular drug abuse awareness programmes to enhance students’ well-being and academic success.