Academic Outcomes and Drug Addiction Among Young Moroccan Students

Introduction

A recent study suggests that the correlation between substance use and academic performance was positive at the school level¹. As well, it is widely discussed in the literature that regular cannabis use increases the risk of learning difficulties².

Objective

to study the relationship between regular drug use and academic outcomes of young students of a vocational training institute in Mohammedia (North West of Morocco).

Subjects and methods

The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted among 441 Moroccan students of vocational institute in Mohammedia (NW of Morocco), aged 18 to 25 years. Addiction status is evaluated bythe CRAFFT-ADOSPA questionnaire and the academic achievements are recorded using the annual average (academic year: 2013-2014).

Results

The results showed that the most commonly used drug is cannabis. Moreover, out of a total of 441 students, 29.5%are regular drug users, 10.8% of them are girls. More, 24.5% of these addicted students had academic achievements below the average and, 69% of students ranked bottom of the class are among the drug addicts.

Conclusion

Academic achievements appeared to be negatively influenced by regular drug use among students. However, deeper statistical studies are needed.

¹Fernando H. Andrade, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140197114001006">Co-occurrences between adolescent substance use and academicperformance: School context influences a multilevel-longitudinal perspective</a>. Journal of Adolescence, Volume 37, Issue 6, August 2014, Pages 953-963.

²Dominique Lopez et Daniel Sansfaçon, Dommages sociaux liés à l'usage de drogues : focus sur les relationset difficultés familiales, revue toxibase n° 20 – 4e trimestre 2005.