Impact of drug and substance abuse on secondary school students in Nyamusi Division Nyamira District, Kenya

Abstract

Drug and substance abuse has been identified as one of the emerging issues affecting the youths in learning institutions. The purpose of the study was therefore to establish the impact of drug and substance abuse on secondary school students in Nyamusi Division, Nyamira District of Kenya. Despite the critical role played by the government, teachers and other stake holders in education to curb the practice of drug abuse in learning institutions the problem of drug still persists. The study was strongly promoted by the fact that various studies have been carried out in post secondary school levels, giving little attention to secondary school level where drug and substance abuse is increasing day by day. The researcher adopted the descriptive survey research design which enabled cross references of data collected from various respondents using different instruments. Stratified random sampling technique was used to arrive at desired respondents The sample comprised of 10 secondary schools out of 20 in Nyamusi division, representing 50% of public secondary schools in the division, 10 head teachers out of 20 , 75 teachers out of 250 , 20 local leaders out off 100 and 200 learners out of 20,000. The scope of the study was all public secondary schools in Nyamusi Division Nyamira District. Test- Retest technique was used o assess the reliability of research instruments while experts' opinion was employed to assess the validity of the research instruments. The researcher used questionnaires and interview schedules as instruments for data collection. To the teachers and students questionnaires were administered by the researcher. The researcher personally conducted interviews for head teachers, local leaders and group discussion method for the learners in order to observe and get the learner's opinions on drug substances abuse. The collected data was analyzed using frequency distribution tables, percentages and graphs based on research. The study revealed among other things that poor academic performance indiscipline, school drop -outs poor personal hygiene, sexual immorality, diseases and truancy were some of the impacts of drug and substance abuse on secondary school students. The study further revealed that some of these drugs like traditional liquor- chang'aa are readily available in homes and the community where learners come from. On the strength of the findings and the subsequent conclusions drawn this study recommends that drug and substance abuse should be included in secondary school curriculum as a subject to ensure that learners acquire adequate knowledge to deal with the challenge .Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) should carry out in service training of teachers on drug and substance abuse, the government should come up with a clear policy on drug abuse in learning institutions. The ministry of Education should do much campaign and awareness initiatives in enlightening the youths, teachers and parents over this vice .For the message to reach a big audience effectively, let the capacity building and knowledge empowerment of all stake-holders to be re-activated.