Abstract

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Drug abuse among college students poses significant challenges not only to public health but also to their economic well-being. This study investigated the impact of an eight-week health education intervention aimed at reducing substance abuse and its subsequent effects on students' economic outcomes at the University of Maiduguri. While previous research indicated that substance use prevention programmes can decrease drug consumption, their influence on immediate economic factors such as academic performance, attendance, and earning potential remains uncertain. Using a repeated measures design, data collected at baseline, mid-intervention (week 4), and postintervention (week 8) from 28 male students revealed significant improvements in economic well-being (F(2, 76) = 8.632, p < 0.01). Specifically, the mean economic scores increased from 45.2 at baseline to 48.4 at week 4, and further to 50.7 at week 8, representing a 12.2% overall increase. Post hoc analysis confirmed that these gains were statistically significant, particularly between weeks 1 and 8 (p = 0.001). These findings suggest that targeted health education programmes can contribute to short-term economic benefits by improving academic engagement and reducing substance-related disruptions, thereby enhancing students' future earning potential and financial resilience. The study underscores the importance of integrating health education with broader economic support strategies to maximize benefits for students and educational institutions alike.

Keywords: Substance Abuse, Health Education, Economic Outcomes, University Students.