Measures adopted to reduce drug and substance abuse in public secondary schools in Kenya

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.