Contemporary Research Analysis Journal

Psychoactive substance use among secondary school students is a growing educational, public-health and communication concern. This paper examines coded English expressions used to conceal substance-related discussions among students in Oyo State, drawing on a TETFund-funded mixed-methods study conducted in Oyo South and Osun West Senatorial Districts. Of 600 questionnaires administered, 582 were valid (97.0%), including 291 respondents from Oyo State. Findings revealed peer influence (M = 3.42), secrecy (M = 3.35), teachers’ difficulty understanding coded language (M = 3.34) and shared peer meanings (M = 3.31). Teacher training on emerging slang received the highest intervention rating (M = 3.47). Although urban Oyo evidence highlights contextual vulnerabilities, the parent survey did not directly measure residential differences. The paper recommends teacher training, stronger counselling, peer education, parental engagement and continuous monitoring of emerging coded expressions to improve early identification and prevention.

psychoactive substances, coded English expressions urban vulnerability, secondary school students, peer influence, intervention strategies.

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