An Assessment of factors contributing to drug abuse by learners in Secondary Schools in Insiza district, Matabeleland South province
- Author
- Mathuthu, Mzwandile. R.
- Title
- An Assessment of factors contributing to drug abuse by learners in Secondary Schools in Insiza district, Matabeleland South province
- Abstract
- Drug and Substance Abuse has been a keen talk in the country of Zimbabwe since year end 2023. Teachers, parents, church officials and other stakeholders have been at the forefront trying to find out the causes and ways of controlling it. To understand the reasons for adolescent substance abuse behaviour, various theoretical perspectives were utilised and strategies to curb substance use were also identified. The study was conducted in the rural areas of Insiza District, Matabeleland South province. The study aimed at finding out the influences contributing to drug abuse by learners in Insiza district secondary schools and the effects that arise out of this practice. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the causes of drug abuse by learners in secondary schools, to establish the commonly abused drugs by leaners in the district, the effects and possible measures that can be implemented. A qualitative, explorative research design was employed. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews, data analysis and observations. The study found that substances abused by the participants include alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and cough syrups at some point. The study also found out how drug abuse among secondary school learners determines their academic achievement and high levels of school dropout and identified measures that can be implemented to contain drug and substance abuse by learners. It suggested that engaging parents, punishments, and the effective use of guidance and counselling can help minimise drug abuse in the school environment. The study recommends MoPSE to give relevant guidance and counselling training on all teachers or to employ qualified counsellors in schools and to introduce a specific and compulsory learning area on Ethics and Moral Education and to reinforce the effective learning and teaching of Guidance and Counselling in schools.
- Date
- August 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Drug abuse by learners
- Secondary Schools in Insiza District
- Supervisor
- Dr. Mangwende, E.
