Effects of drugs abuse on academic performance among secondary school students in Tulia zone, Kitui West District, Kitui County, Kenya.

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the causes of drug abuse among secondary school students in the location of study; the research pointed out the effects of drug abuse to academic performance and finally the intervention measures to alleviate this menace. This study used Modified Social Stress Model (MSSM) theory to ensure it remains within the research questions. The theory was developed by Rodes and Jason (1988) and modified by World Health Organization/Progamme on Substance Abuse (WHO/PSA) to examine the effects of drugs. This research benefited Teachers and school administrators by acquiring data on the various factors that lead to high rates of alcohol taking among students hence come up with solutions to this problem. The factors associated with drug abuse are many and varied, and include individual predispositions, family characteristics and complex social and environmental determinants. (Rice 1981), this review enabled the researcher to have some light on what to expect. The targeted population of the study was students in secondary schools in Tulia Zone. The target population was 14 secondary schools in Tulia zone. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 10 form four students from each school using class attendance register where only those in position one to ten were sampled, while purposive sampling was used to sample 14 form four class teachers of who 8 were males and 6 females, 14 head teachers from each school. Therefore the total sample size was 168 respondents. The study used questionnaire and interview schedule to collect data, this tools were checked they validity and reliability through pilot study. The researcher used tables and percentages to present the findings of the research.