Causes and effects of drug abuse among primary school learners in Shibuyunji district, Zambia / Misheck Victor Shibalika.
Date
2021
Authors
Shibalika, Misheck Victor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
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.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Substance abuse. , Substance abuse--School leavers. , Youth--Substance use. , Teenagers--Substance use. , Substance abuse--Government policy.