Causes and effects of drugs and substance abuse among secondary school students in Dagoreti division, Nairobi West district.

Abstract

Drug and substance abuse has continued to ruin our youth and subsequently education despite various measures taken to stop it. This study aimed at finding out what makes students abuse drugs and the effects that arise out of this practice. The study employed survey research design and was conducted in secondary schools in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi. Data was collected with the help of questionnaires. Data was organized and prepared for analysis by coding and entry in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software programme. The study established that majority of students’ abuse drugs to feel high and was a result of peer pressure. It was also noted that poor performance is the greatest effect of drug and substance abuse among students. The study recommends heavy punishment of drug abusers as well as guidance and counseling sessions to minimize the vice and make secondary schools drug free.