Substance Abuse and its Mental Effects on Secondary School Students in Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria

Substance abuse among adolescents is a growing public health concern, particularly in developing regions such as North Central Nigeria. It is associated with significant mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment among secondary school students. This study employed a cross-sectional analytical design involving 400 secondary school students in Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Substance Use Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale), and Adolescent Cognitive Failure Scale. Reliability coefficients ranged from 0.79 to 0.87. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS. Findings revealed that 48% of the students reported engaging in at least one form of substance use, with alcohol being the most prevalent (34%), followed by tobacco (18.7%) and cannabis (16%). Among substance users, approximately 62% exhibited symptoms of depression, 58% showed signs of anxiety, and 49% experienced cognitive impairment, indicating a high burden of mental health effects. Statistical analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between substance abuse and depression (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further showed that substance use significantly predicted mental health outcomes (β = 0.61, p < 0.001). The results align with existing literature, confirming that substance abuse is a strong predictor of poor mental health among adolescents. The findings highlight roles of socio-environmental factors such as peer influence, limited supervision in exacerbating substance use and its psychological effects. The study recommends the implementation of school-based drug education programs, strengthened parental involvement, provision of counselling services, and stricter enforcement of drug control policies.