Drug abuse is becoming prevalence in Nigerian societies. This justifies the intensive media
campaign against the menace. The commonly abused drugs are aspirin, cannabis, heroine,
amphetamine, cocaine, indian-hemp, alcohol, tobacco etc.
Social studies as a dynamic and problem solving discipline has drug education as one of
the emerging areas of study. Drug education intends to expose the learners to uses, abuse
and contraindication of drugs. Social studies being an integrated discipline which derives
its curriculum contents from many educational curricula encourages teaching and learning
of drug issues, abuse, addiction and its health implications.
CHAPTER TWO
Review of Related Literature
The earlier studies that are relevant to this research are reviewed based on the below
sub-headings:
(1) Theories on Drug Abuse
(2) Concept of Drug Abuse
(3) Causes of Drug Abuse
(4) Effects of Drug Abuse
(5) Control and Management of Drug Abuse
(6) Implications of Drug Abuse for social studies teaching.
Theories of Drug Abuse
The relevant theories to be reviewed are sociological theory, social process theory and
gate-way theory.
Sociological Theory of Drug Abuse
Kaplan (1996) explains that sociological theory understand substance abuse as a societal
phenomenon, having largely cultural, social and economic origins or ties. Such causes are
often external to the individual, that is, they are not biological, genetic or psychological
traits possessed by them. Sociological theory utilizes broader and often more abstract
phenomenon and concepts to explain drug use and abuse. Sociological theory often
identifies how social problems such as poverty, inequality and social disorganizations
explain the prevalence of drug use and abuse in society.
Social Process Theory
Social process according to Robbins (2000) is a theory focusing on how people or groups
become involved with drugs and how their involvement change over time, and what might
initiate the change. Process theory is developmental in the sense that they identify key
factors over a period of time, one demarcated by social boundaries and meanings leading
to drug related behaviours and consequences.
Gateway Theory of Drug Abuse
The gateway theory states that neighbourhood plays bigger role in slide into hard-drugs
and drug abuse. The place where one lives in social company drug abusers keep are other
predisposing factors.
Concept of Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is referred to as intake of drugs by an individual as way of medication, over
does of the prescribed drug given by medical personnel or taking drugs on an individuals
personal interest or influence by some groups of people (Adegbite 2003). Indeed, the term
drug abuse is used to indicate excessiveness and frequent consumption of drugs regardless
