Parameter with the Greatest Impact on the Mathematical Model of the Addiction of Drug Substances among Students of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

Drug addiction is a condition characterized by a self-destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems and distress which may include tolerance for or withdrawal from the drug substances. These drug abuse and addiction are both grouped as substance or drug use disorder. In this paper, a parameter with the greatest impact on the mathematical model of the addiction of drug substances among students of Nigerian tertiary institutions was determined. The obtained parameter with the greatest impact on the model was determined through the values of the eigenvalue elasticity and sensitivity analyses obtained via the computer program from the MATLAB software package. Out of the twelve parameters considered and used in the mathematical model, one parameter has the greatest impact based on the values obtained from the computer program. The parameter with the greatest impact on the mathematical model was determined to be the transmission rate of susceptible students into the class of illicit drug users which is represented by symbol β. This parameter was determined to assist the administrators of the tertiary institutions on how to effectively control, minimize and probably eradicate the addiction of drug substances among the students. Recommendations are given to reduce and minimize all forms of drug addiction among the students of tertiary institutions.