Curbing Drug/Substance Abuse among Students in Universities in Nigeria: The Role of Librarians

The rate at which youths, especially students in the tertiary institutions engage in drug/substance abuse in Nigeria is increasing on a daily basis. This has resulted in youth restiveness as well as other crimes, which has made it a serious challenge to national development and growth. What should be done, becomes the question in everyone’s mind. To this end, this study was developed. The study examined the roles of librarians in curbing drug/substance abuse among students in universities in Nigerian. It adopted the descriptive survey research design using the final year students of University of Uyo, totalling 1407 students. The accidental sampling technique was adopted in selecting 70 students, which represents 5% of the population. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data generated were analysed using the descriptive statistics of frequency counts, mean scores and standard deviations. Findings of the study revealed that Alcohol-ethanol, tobacco, tramadol, etc. were found to be abused. Peer pressure, poverty and unemployment were among the determinants of the abuse. The behavioural patterns include dizziness, easily provoked, loss of self-control, etc. Consequences associated with drug/substance abuse and roles of librarians in curbing drug/substance abuse were found out. The study recommended intensified efforts by librarians in bringing to the knowledge of the students the dangers of drug/substance abuse and how to avoid them.

Keywords: Roles, Librarians, Drug/Substance Abuse, Students, Nigerian Universities.