PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND MEASURES TO PUT IN TO PREVENT EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL IN EMBAKASI CONSTITUENCY IN KENYA. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

In the African continent, it was said that 61% of people who got treated for drug abuse often displayed serious psychological disorders and mostly were cannabis users and 2/3 of them were youth.

 Methodology

A cross-sectional study utilizing quantitative data was conducted. A simple random technique was used to select 60 respondents. Findings were displayed in table form tables in percentage form.

 Results

15(25%) of the respondents agreed that poor educational attainment is a symbol of the psychological effects of drug abuse on students, those who decrease their ability to concentrate 5 (8%) Emotional mental illnesses 10 (16%), Indiscipline of in school environment 12 (20` %) and lastly Students performance. Mostly identified effects were, sexual abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, financial problems at home, and incurable diseases, this is especially true when the student is in a terminal phase—the psychological Effect of drug abuse on students results in poor educational attainment. Respondents had attained a certificate of education with a percentage of 10(16%), followed by a diploma of 30 (50%), and the majority of the respondents with a bachelor’s degree with a percentage of 15(25%), Masters with 5(8%).

 Conclusion

Drug use may serve as a maturational ‘snare’ that keeps some students engaged in deviant peer groups as others move on to more normative groups, thus having a long-term direct effect on educational attainment.

 Recommendation

Schools should enforce strict rules on alcohol and drug abuse by requiring all social events during orientation of first years to be alcohol-free, disseminating responsible host guidelines for both on- and off-campus parties, install a responsible beverage service program, eliminate residence hall delivery of alcohol purchases, advertise food and activities, such as dancing or sports, rather than drinking as the focus of the event.