Examining the effects of drug use among students of Kumbungu Senior High School

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of drug use among students at Kumbungu Senior High School. A descriptive survey design was employed, using multistage sampling to select 120 students. A researcher-developed questionnaire was the primary data-collection instrument. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-Square Tests and Hierarchical Multiple Regression) using SPSS version 27. The study found that the most commonly consumed drugs by students were Red Red (37.5%), followed by Codeine laced syrups (29.2%), and Marijuana (8.3%). Alcohol, Cocaine, and Heroine were not consumed at all by the study participants, students strongly perceived drugs to have a positive impact on their physical and cognitive states, there was a statistically significant difference in drug consumption between male and female students. Based on the findings, it is concluded that drug use is a prevalent and serious issue at Kumbungu Senior High School, with a significant majority of students admitting to consumption, with Red Red and Codeine laced syrups being the primary substances of abuse, followed by Marijuana. Based on the findings of and conclusion, it is recommended among others that authorities of Kumbungu Senior High School should integrate mandatory, evidence-based, and locally-relevant drug education into the school curriculum, focusing specifically on the immediate and long-term negative health effects of Red Red, Codeine laced syrups, and Marijuana, rather than just generic drugs. It was also recommended that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) must review and strictly regulate the sale and distribution of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals like cough syrups containing codeine, limiting sales to prescription only.