Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of school-based Anti-Drug Clubs in raising students’ awareness of the dangers of drug abuse among basic education students in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Nigeria. The study was guided by one research question. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised Upper Basic III students in public basic schools in AMAC, from which a sample of 300 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Anti-Drug Club Influence Questionnaire (ADCIQ). The instrument was validated by experts and had a reliability coefficient of 0.88 using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research question, while independent t-test was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that school-based Anti-Drug Clubs are effective in raising students’ awareness of the dangers of drug abuse. Students agreed that club activities improved their understanding of the health, academic, social, legal, and psychological consequences of drug abuse. The study concluded that Anti-Drug Clubs serve as effective school-based preventive mechanisms for drug abuse awareness in basic education schools. It was recommended that schools should strengthen Anti-Drug Clubs through continuous sensitization programmes, collaboration with relevant agencies, and active involvement of school counsellors to enhance their effectiveness.