Pastoral Counselling Response on Abuse of Drugs and Substances Among the Youth of Turitu and Ngegu Shopping Centres in Kiambu County

Abstract

The result of drug abuse in human health and more specifically among the youth has contributed to problems which range from medical, social problems, family, legal and economic problems use. Drug abuse-related problems among the youth cannot be ignored. The increase in the use of alcohol, drugs and substance has remained a major concern among the youth in Turitu and Ngegu in Kiambu County. This study sought to explore how pastoral counselling can be utilized to respond to the use and abuse of drugs and other substances among the youth of Turitu and Ngegu shopping centers in Kiambu County. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the prevalence of use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and substances in Turitu and Ngegu shopping centers of Kiambu County; establish the cause and effects of use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and substances among the youth and finally to explore how pastoral counseling can utilize the psychosocial theory of counseling in order to respond to the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances in Turitu and Ngegu shopping centers in Kiambu County. The study employed a descriptive survey research design targeting youths and parents in Turitu and Ngegu locations in Kiambu County, Kenya. Among them, 120 youths and 60 parents were randomly selected to participate in the study giving a total of 180 respondents. Questionnaires were used as tools for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed and presented in form of tables, figures while qualitative was analyzed in form explanatory notes. The findings of the study were then presented using tables and figures. The study established that majority of the youths were using alcohol and abusing drugs daily. The most commonly abused drugs by the youths were cigarettes, Bhang, Miraa and Kuber. Alcohol was also used by most of the youths. The main causes of drugs and substances abuse were; peer pressure, stress, affordability, availability, idleness, poor parenting and lack of employment. The effects of drug and substance abuse were; loss of dignity and personality, poor academic performance among youths who are still in school, increase in crime rates within the society, poor living standards due to wastage of money and time, family breakup, health problems and increase in violent behaviour. The study finally established that very few youths usually visit priests and pastors to seek advice related to alcohol use and drug abuse. As such, the study concludes that pastoral counseling was rarely used as a measure of curbing use of alcohol, drug and substance abuse. The study recommends that; religious leaders should frequently organize seminars, guidance and counseling programmes for the youths with an aim of sensitizing them on the consequences of drug and substance abuse. Equally, the government should put legislative measures towards the drug and substance peddlers and abusers and fund campaigns against drugs and substance abuse.