Factors contributing to drug abuse in public secondary schools of Miriga Mieru west division, lmenti north (Meru central) district

Abstract

The general objective of the study was to investigate factors contributing to drug and substance abuse in public secondary schools in Imenti North District. The specific objectives were to identify the type of drugs abused by secondary school students, to investigate the role of teachers and non teaching staff in availing drugs to students, to determine the major factors influencing drug abuse among school students, to find out what extent media advertisement contribute to drug abuse, and to establish measures that headteachers and teachers should take to prevent drug abuse in schools. To satisfy the research objectives the researcher used a descriptive research design comprising a sample selected secondary schools in Miriga Mieru West Division, Imenti North District. The sampling frame included the MOEST Directory of secondary schools in Miriga Mieru West Division, Imenti North District. Primary data was collected using open and closed questionnaires. The questionnaires were dropped and picked up later. The target respondents were secondary school heads, teachers and students. Once the pertinent data were collected the researcher carried out analysis of the same using frequencies and percentages. Where appropriate, the study results were presented in tables, pie charts and graphs. The study established that the most (94%) abused drug by the students was cigarette. Factors cited to have led to increased drug abuse by students in secondary schools were due to media influence (65%), deteriorating parental responsibility and lack of proper guidance and counseling in schools (59%), and lax in discipline in schools (44%) amorig others. The results of the study also established that most of the students (61%) abuse drugs because ofpeer pressure. The students abused drugs because it is believed that it will give them a sense of belonging (41%) and because of belief that they will pass examinations (39%). The study recommends that the school administrations should establish the main cause of drug abuse by the students with an aim of putting to an end drug abuse, by the students. The study further recommends that secondary school administration must ensure that no teaching or the non teaching staff, or any other person, availed the drugs to the student. All secondary schools must put in place .strong rules and regulations against the use of drugs by the students. The government through the Ministry of Education, Science and 'l Technology should come up with policies aimed at cubing drug abuse in schools. And lastly, all the stakeholders who include the church, NOOs and peer group counsellors should join in the war against drug abuse by secondary school students.