Publication: An Investigation on Effects of Drug And Substance Abuse on Learning in Day Secondary Schools in Mutomo Sub-County Kitui County
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2015-08
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem in Kenya. A number of studies carried out in the
country shows that almost every Kenyan youngster at a time or another experiments with drugs
mostly alcohol and tobacco. The major cause of concern is that a significant proportion of these
young people abuse drugs while at school hence affecting their performance. Mutomo Sub-
County in Kitui being in Kenya is not spared by this. Therefore this study sought to investigate
the effects of drug and substance abuse in learning day secondary schools in Mutomo Sub-
County Kitui County. The study focused at investigation commonly abused drugs, investigating
the gender mostly affected by drug abuse, scrutinizing the factors that influence students to abuse
drugs, findings out the effects of drug and substance abuse and coming out with possible
measures to curb drug and substance abuse. The study targeted the students, head teachers and
teachers in day secondary schools. The study used sociological theory which suggests that the
causes of adolescent’s drugs are varied depending on agents of socialization. The study used
descriptive survey design. The research instruments used in this study were questionnaires and
interview schedules. The researcher used test-rest method to ensure the reliability of the
instruments. The results obtained showed that drug and substance abuse negatively affect
learning. The data collected was analyzed quantitatively and qualitative. The histograms, tables
and pie charts were used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data was evaluated and
classified into logical thematic categories. Data collected showed that alcohol and tobacco are
the mostly abused drugs; curiosity and experimentation are the key factors that influence
students to drug abuse. Findings also showed that boys abuse drugs more than girls. The study
came out with recommendations that students should be sensitized on adverse effects of abusing
drugs and there should be peer counseling in schools among others. The study came out with
suggestions for further study on investigating how studies access drugs in boarding secondary
schools and also ways of helping drug addicted students.
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Bachelor of Education