Factors influencing drug and substance abuse by students in public secondary schools in Mbeere south sub county, Embu county, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya drug and substance abuse has become a major problem especially in the Secondary schools characterized by enormous school dropouts, student's unrest and poor Performance, both boys and girls are affected by the vice. Drug abuse is becoming an lncreasing problem-in -Kenya. A number of studies carried our-m-the country show that almost every Kenyan youngster at one time or another experiments with drugs, especially beer and cigarettes. The major cause of concern is that a significant proportion of these young people eventually get addicted posing a threat to their own health and safety, while creating difficulties for their families and the public at large. This study sought to establish the factors influencing drug abuse among students in Kenyan public secondary schools in Mbeere south sub county. The objectives of the study were to establish the influence of peer pressure, family background, school environment and the surrounding environment in drug and substance abuse by students in secondary schools. The research design was descriptive survey. In view of this, the field survey method was adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data, using questionnaires and interviews. The results were presented in frequency distribution tables and percentages. Using Yamane's formula, the target population was 100 students including both boys and girls in public secondary schools in Mbeere south sub county using Questionnaires which were administered to the selected students and to one guidance and counseling teacher from each sample schools. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in data analysis. The findings were based on the four objectives which indicated that peer pressure, family background, school environment, surrounding community influence drug and substance abuse.