FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DRUG ABUSE BY YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN THE EASTLANDS AREA OF NAIROBI

Abstract

This study set out to investigate factors contributing to drug abuse among youth in the Eastlands area of Nairobi. Its specific objectives were: To establish the types of drugs abused by youth; establish the consequences of drug abuse; identify the contributory factors to drug abuse; and identify intervention strategies employed by stakeholders to combat the problem of drug abuse among the youth in the study area. The study adopted a primary research design method. A sample of 100 youthful drug abusers was selected using convenience sampling while 9 key informants were selected using purposive sampling. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used in the study.

The study found that youths in the Eastlands area of Nairobi abused a number of drugs and some of the most common ones were alcohol, bhang, miraa and tobacco. The consequences of drug abuse included brain damage, getting involved in immoral activities, poor performance in school, pupil/student dropping out of school, death and negative effect on human health. The factors contributing to drug abuse by the youth included peer pressure, unemployment! idleness, desire for adventure, presence of carefree parents and ease of access of drugs. Some of the strategies employed to address drug abuse in the study area were counseling and guidance; anti-drug abuse campaigns in schools and churches; imprisonment of drug traffickers; and drug rehabilitation support to youths.

The study recommended that more awareness be created on the dangers of drug abuse; that the government and its partners take urgent measures to provide affordable and accessible treatment and rehabilitation services to the youth hooked into drug use; that the supply of drugs in the market be curtailed in order to reduce the opportunity to access the drugs; and that, the Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 1994 be fully enforced by the players in the Criminal Justice System, especially key departments such as the Police Department.