Secondary school teachers' knowledge and views about drug abuse in Ogun State, Nigeria--a pilot survey

The views and knowledge level of 135 randomly selected secondary school teachers in the Abeokuta Local Government Area of Ogun State in Nigeria on drug abuse were sought through a self-report anonymous questionnaire. The respondents were mostly male (59.3%) under the age of thirty years (89.6%). The majority (59.3%) were never exposed to drug education as students while less than 20 percent have been exposed since qualifying as teachers. Although the majority had a good concept of the definition of drug abuse, their views on the potential drugs of abuse and the concept of "drug dependence" were inadequate. Eighty-five and nine-tenths percent chose "guidance counselling" as the approach to the management of student drug abusers despite the death of this professional cadre in the schools. The authors gave suggestions on the pattern and content of teacher-targeted formal drug education program in light of the findings.