TO ASSESS FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MASABA NORTH - NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the factors contributing to drug and substance abuse among secondary school students Masaba North - Nyamira County. The study was guided by an integration of psychoanalytic, behavioral and cognitive theories. The study used survey research design using both qualitative and quantitative methods using questionnaires for students and interview schedules for head teachers and guidance and counseling leaders. Simple random sampling method was used to select 465 from forms three and four secondary students, 9 head teachers and 9 guidance and counseling leaders. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). For qualitative data emerging patterns of the content analysis was presented thematically according to research objectives. Findings from the study showed that drug and substance abuse was real among students with cigarettes taking the lead followed by alcohol. The research found out that peer pressure and bad companies were the contributing factors to the abuse of drugs and substance. The research also showed that drug and substance abuse impacted negatively on the students’ discipline, character, behavior and academic performance in that order. Both counseling and biblical teachings were the most accepted practical solutions by both the students, head teachers and guidance and counseling leaders. The study will provide information to counselors working in secondary schools Masaba North - Nyamira County to enable secondary school students those already affected to receive help and those who haven’t been affected to be helped as a preventive action. The information of the research will also empower the students to receive adequate help in order to have accessibility to quality education offered in Kenyan secondary schools.