Causes and effects of drug abuse among primary school learners in Shibuyunji district, Zambia / Misheck Victor Shibalika.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and effects of drug abuse among primary school learners in Shibuyunji district of Zambia. Guided by Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory, the study was qualitative in nature and relied on verbal narrative or descriptions. Four schools in the district were purposively sampled for the study and a sample of 48 participants was selected. These included head teachers, guidance and counselling teachers, learners, and parents in the four selected primary schools. The research instruments used to collect data were semistructured interview guides and focus group discussions. Data analysis involved thematic analysis. The researcher concluded that respondents had a good understanding of the meaning of drug abuse and the challenges which came with drug abuse at school. The researcher further established that the causes of drug abuse in Shibuyunji district were peer pressure, lack of recreational activities, curiosity and amusement, lack of parental supervision, prevalence of drugs in the locality and poverty, and that the effects of drug abuse were deviant behaviour predisposing crime, drug addiction, rebellious behaviour towards authority, lower academic performance and expulsion or suspension from school. The study’s recommendations were that there was great need to strengthen guidance and counseling in schools, and to enhance communication between administration and learners about the need for drug-free school environments. Keywords; Drug abuse, primary school learners, Shibuyunji district, interventions, sensitisation.