SUBSTANCE USE AND ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG STUDENTS OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

Substance use is a critical issue affecting students' well-being, academic engagement and success. This review is targeted to synthesize existing literature for purposes of understanding the causes, nature of substances currently being misused, their effects or consequences, especially as applicable to students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Several physical and online database sources, including government and non-governmental agency publications were consulted. The review showed that substances mostly used by students are alcohol and marijuana, while key factors leading to substance use are peer pressure, stress, lack of academic motivation, among others. Scholars generally held that substance use adversely affect academic engagement. Hence, it was recommended that urgent interventions to address substance use and academic engagement among students be put in place by school administration, government and NGOs to forestall further deleterious effects on students and society at large.