Measures Adopted to Reduce Drug and Substance Abuse in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Isaac Njuguna Kimengi ,Felicity W Githinji ,Richard Rono

doi:10.7176/jep/10-23-14

Abstract

The use of drugs is a major societal concern, and schools are considered a privileged space for the development of prevention measures and health promotion. It is possible, and desirable, for schools to be concerned with drug demand reduction, drug supply reduction and mitigating the health and social consequences of drug use with major focus on demand reduction. The purpose of this study was to establish measures to be adopted to reduce drug and substance abuse in public secondary schools in Kenya. The research was based on social learning theory. The research was conducted in Nandi County schools in Kenya. Twenty four randomly selected schools out of 235 county schools were engaged in the study. A sample size of 1292 respondents was obtained using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The participants included Deputy Principals, Counselors, and teachers teaching Life Skills subject, students and Focus Group Discussions. The data instruments utilized included questionnaires and structured interviews. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency, tables, graphs, pie charts and percentages. The results of this study revealed that drug abuse in schools was a challenge that needed to be addressed by all stake holders in education. Outsiders were found to be clandestinely selling drugs to students during festivities such as music and games. Teachers and school security officers in most schools did not bother to check on student luggage on arrival during opening and midterms which became an easy leeway of getting drugs into schools. The research findings would be useful to schools, parents, research practitioners and school administration. Keywords: Challenges, teachers, learners, social net-working, Drugs and Substance Abuse. DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-23-14 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Highlights

The use of drugs is a major societal concern, and schools are considered a privileged space for the development of prevention and health promotion
Desirable, for schools to be concerned with drug demand reduction, drug supply reduction and mitigating the health and social consequences of drug use, with the major focus on demand reduction
All teachers of guidance and counseling 24 (100%) were asked to give suggestions on how to reduce DSA in secondary schools, they gave the following responses that there was need to strengthen Guidance and Counseling in schools through the provision offices for the teacher counselors, that open forums for students should be facilitated by schools and be held regularly to discuss on the dangers of illicit drugs in secondary schools and come with lasting solutions by students themselves, that specialists in drug abuse should invited by the schools so as to address DSA menace among students in good time and save the majority of students before they fall victims to irreversible drug abuse

Summary

Introduction

The use of drugs is a major societal concern, and schools are considered a privileged space for the development of prevention and health promotion. According to Gateway Foundation Life Saving and Treatment 2019, more than 7 million people, youth included suffer from illicit drug use disorder and one in four deaths can be attributed to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit or prescription drug use. It is possible, and desirable, for schools to be concerned with drug demand reduction, drug supply reduction and mitigating the health and social consequences of drug use, with the major focus on demand reduction. Making your expectations known early is important when setting boundaries with your teens If you are heavily dependent on alcohol or if it’s a big factor in your social life, you could be setting a detrimental example. 4) be available and ensure you direct them toward understanding the negative effects of drug abuse on their lives

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Conclusion