The Causes and Effects of Drug Abuse on Pupils Academic Performance: A Case Study of Mindolo Secondary School in Kitwe, Zambia

Abstract

: The study analyses the causes and effects of drug abuse on academic performance of pupils at Mindolo secondary school in Kitwe District, Zambia. This study used a descriptive survey design to find out the causes and effects of drug abuse on pupil’s academic performance. Questionnaire and interviews were the instruments used to collect data and data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, (SPSS). The mean and the standard deviation were used to see the trends in the data. The results of the study reviewed that Alcohol was frequently abused by pupils at Mindolo secondary school and that factors such as peer pressure, low self-esteem, and availability of drugs contributed to the abuse of drugs. The abuse of these drugs has led to poor performance, absenteeism, and low concentration in class amongst pupils. The other effects of drug abuse were suspensions, dropping out of school, and failure to participate in various school activities.