Project – Christian Counselling and Its Impact on Reducing Drug Abuse Among Secondary School Students from SS 1- SS3 in Agege, Lagos

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Drug abuse has become one of the major social and educational problems affecting adolescents across the world. The increasing involvement of young people in the misuse of substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, tramadol, codeine syrup, and other hard drugs has created serious concerns for parents, teachers, religious organizations, counsellors, and governments. Adolescence is a sensitive stage of human development characterized by emotional instability, curiosity, peer influence, and identity formation. At this stage, secondary school students are highly vulnerable to experimenting with drugs and other harmful substances. Drug abuse among students has been associated with poor academic performance, violence, truancy, examination malpractice, emotional instability, school dropout, and criminal behaviour. Studies in Nigeria indicate that substance abuse among secondary school students is increasing and often begins at an early age.

In Nigeria, drug abuse has become a widespread public health and moral issue among adolescents and youths. Reports from different parts of the country reveal that many students engage in drug use because of peer pressure, curiosity, frustration, poor parental supervision, stress, social media influence, and the desire for acceptance among friends. Commonly abused substances among students include alcohol, cigarettes, Indian hemp, tramadol, codeine syrup, cocaine, and other stimulants. Research has shown that many Nigerian secondary school students possess knowledge about drugs and their effects, yet continue to engage in substance abuse because of social and environmental influences.

The consequences of drug abuse among secondary school students are enormous. Drug abuse affects students physically, emotionally, socially, morally, and academically. Students involved in drug abuse often display behavioural problems such as aggression, lack of concentration, disrespect for authority, poor interpersonal relationships, depression, anxiety, and indiscipline. In many cases, drug abuse contributes to declining academic achievement and increases the likelihood of involvement in cultism, violence, theft, and other antisocial behaviours. Scholars have also noted that substance abuse negatively affects emotional health and social adjustment among adolescents.

Secondary school students in urban communities such as Agege in Lagos State are particularly exposed to the risks of drug abuse due to population density, social inequality, unemployment, peer group influence, exposure to street life, and easy access to drugs. Agege is a highly populated area with diverse social and economic activities, and many adolescents are exposed to environments that may encourage drug-related behaviour. The pressures associated with urban life, broken homes, poverty, and weak moral guidance may further increase students’ vulnerability to substance abuse. As a result, schools, parents, churches, and community leaders have continued to seek effective ways of reducing drug abuse among adolescents.

One of the approaches increasingly recognized for addressing behavioural and emotional problems among youths is counselling. Counselling is a helping relationship aimed at assisting individuals to understand themselves, identify their problems, and make positive decisions. Counselling provides emotional support, moral guidance, behavioural modification, and psychological healing. In schools, counselling services help students cope with academic challenges, social pressures, emotional instability, and behavioural problems such as drug abuse. Guidance counsellors often organize awareness programmes, seminars, individual therapy sessions, and peer education activities to discourage substance abuse among students. Researchers have emphasized the importance of counselling interventions in reducing drug abuse among secondary school students in Nigeria.

Christian counselling is a specialized form of counselling that combines psychological principles with biblical teachings and Christian values. Christian counselling seeks to address emotional, moral, spiritual, and behavioural issues through scriptural guidance, prayer, mentorship, moral instruction, and faith-based support systems. It emphasizes spiritual transformation, repentance, discipline, self-control, and reliance on God in overcoming personal struggles. Christian counselling also encourages students to develop positive moral values and avoid behaviours that are harmful to their spiritual and social well-being. Through biblical teachings, students are taught the importance of discipline, obedience, good companionship, and healthy living.

Christian counselling has become increasingly important in addressing social problems among youths because it focuses not only on behaviour modification but also on spiritual renewal and character formation. Churches, Christian schools, youth fellowships, and faith-based organizations often organize counselling programmes targeted at helping young people resist peer pressure and avoid destructive behaviours such as drug abuse. Activities such as Bible study, prayer meetings, mentorship programmes, youth seminars, and spiritual counselling sessions are used to educate students about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of godly living. Christian counsellors also provide emotional support to students struggling with addiction, family problems, depression, and low self-esteem.

The Bible strongly condemns behaviours that destroy the body and mind. In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, believers are reminded that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should not be defiled. Similarly, Proverbs 20:1 warns against drunkenness and harmful substances that lead people astray. Christian counselling therefore promotes moral discipline and spiritual consciousness among students. It seeks to help adolescents understand that drug abuse not only damages their health and future but also affects their relationship with God and society. Through consistent counselling and spiritual guidance, students may develop stronger self-control and resistance against negative peer influence.

Despite the growing concern over drug abuse among adolescents, there appears to be limited empirical studies specifically examining the impact of Christian counselling on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students in Agege, Lagos State. Many previous studies focused mainly on general counselling techniques, prevalence of drug abuse, and behavioural effects among students without giving adequate attention to faith-based counselling approaches. This gap therefore creates the need for this study to investigate Christian counselling and its impact on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students from SS1 to SS3 in Agege, Lagos State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Drug abuse among secondary school students has become a serious social, moral, educational, and health challenge in Nigeria. Many adolescents in secondary schools are increasingly engaging in the misuse of substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, tramadol, cannabis, and codeine syrup. This problem has continued to attract concern from parents, teachers, religious leaders, counsellors, and government agencies because of its negative effects on students’ academic achievement, emotional stability, social behaviour, and future development. Reports and studies have shown that students involved in drug abuse often experience poor concentration in class, declining academic performance, indiscipline, violence, absenteeism, emotional instability, and involvement in criminal activities.

In many secondary schools, students are exposed to peer pressure, social media influence, family instability, poverty, and environmental factors that encourage substance abuse. Urban communities such as Agege in Lagos State present additional risks because of high population density, street influence, unemployment, and easy accessibility to drugs. Despite efforts by schools, parents, and government agencies to reduce drug abuse among adolescents, the problem continues to increase among secondary school students. Many students still lack proper moral guidance, emotional support, and spiritual counselling necessary for resisting negative influences and making responsible decisions.

Although guidance and counselling services exist in some schools, they are often inadequate, irregular, or focused mainly on academic issues rather than behavioural and spiritual development. Furthermore, many intervention programmes concentrate on punishment and discipline rather than emotional healing, moral transformation, and spiritual growth. As a result, students struggling with substance abuse may not receive the necessary support required to overcome addiction and behavioural problems.

Christian counselling has emerged as a potentially effective strategy for addressing behavioural problems among youths because it integrates biblical teachings, moral values, prayer, mentorship, and emotional support. Christian counselling emphasizes self-discipline, godly living, spiritual growth, and positive behavioural change. Through faith-based counselling approaches, students may become more aware of the dangers of drug abuse and develop stronger resistance to peer pressure and immoral behaviour. However, despite the increasing use of Christian counselling in churches and schools, there is limited research evidence on its effectiveness in reducing drug abuse among secondary school students in Agege, Lagos State.

It is against this background that this study seeks to examine Christian counselling and its impact on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students from SS1 to SS3 in Agege, Lagos State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine Christian counselling and its impact on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students from SS1 to SS3 in Agege, Lagos State. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Examine the causes of drug abuse among secondary school students in Agege, Lagos State.
2. Determine the extent to which Christian counselling influences students’ attitudes toward drug abuse.
3. Assess the impact of Christian counselling on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students.
4. Identify the challenges affecting the effectiveness of Christian counselling in secondary schools in Agege, Lagos State.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What are the causes of drug abuse among secondary school students in Agege, Lagos State?
2. To what extent does Christian counselling influence students’ attitudes toward drug abuse?
3. What impact does Christian counselling have on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students?
4. What challenges affect the effectiveness of Christian counselling in secondary schools in Agege, Lagos State?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following hypothesis will be tested at 0.05 level of significance:

Ho₁: There is no significant relationship between Christian counselling and reduction of drug abuse among secondary school students in Agege, Lagos State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be beneficial to students, teachers, counsellors, parents, churches, educational administrators, and researchers.

The study will help students understand the dangers associated with drug abuse and the importance of seeking spiritual and emotional guidance through counselling. It will also encourage students to develop positive moral values and avoid behaviours that can negatively affect their future.

Teachers and school counsellors will benefit from the study by gaining better understanding of how Christian counselling can be used as an intervention strategy for reducing drug abuse and promoting positive behaviour among students. The study may also encourage schools to strengthen counselling services and moral instruction programmes.

Parents will benefit from the findings by becoming more aware of the importance of spiritual upbringing, parental guidance, and emotional support in preventing drug abuse among adolescents. The study may also encourage stronger collaboration between parents, schools, and churches in addressing behavioural problems among students.

Churches and Christian organizations will find the study useful in developing effective youth counselling and mentorship programmes aimed at reducing substance abuse among adolescents. The findings may also strengthen the role of faith-based organizations in promoting moral discipline and healthy lifestyles among youths.

Educational administrators and policy makers may use the findings to formulate policies that support the integration of counselling and moral education into school programmes.

Finally, the study will contribute to existing literature on counselling, adolescent behaviour, and drug abuse prevention, thereby serving as a reference material for future researchers.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on Christian counselling and its impact on reducing drug abuse among secondary school students from SS1 to SS3 in Agege, Lagos State. The study will be limited to selected secondary schools within Agege Local Government Area. The content scope covers causes of drug abuse, influence of Christian counselling, effectiveness of counselling strategies, and challenges affecting counselling programmes among students.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Christian Counselling: A form of counselling that combines psychological principles with biblical teachings, prayer, and Christian values to address behavioural, emotional, and spiritual problems.

Drug Abuse: The excessive or improper use of substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, tramadol, cannabis, and other drugs for non-medical purposes.

Secondary School Students: Learners enrolled in senior secondary school classes, specifically SS1 to SS3.

Impact: The effect or influence that one variable has on another variable.

Counselling: A professional helping relationship aimed at guiding individuals toward solving personal, emotional, social, or behavioural problems.

Project – Christian Counselling and Its Impact on Reducing Drug Abuse Among Secondary School Students from SS 1- SS3 in Agege, Lagos