Curbing drug and substance abuse in secondary schools in Kenya; the disconnect in school community intervention strategies

According to United Nations office on drugs and crime UNODC (2011), alcohol and drug abuse posses a great threat to the social economic fabric of nations worldwide. In spite of the governments’ effort in the fight against drug and substance abuse in Kenya, the problem remains untamed. The study assessed the effectiveness of the school community in curbing drug and substance abuse (DSA) among secondary school students. Literature relating to various aspects of school community and curbing DSA in schools was reviewed. The study employed descriptive survey design. The study sample consisted of 35 head teachers and 407 students. Questionnaires were used to collect Data from head teachers and students. Content validity and reliability of the research instruments was ascertained. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. The findings of the study show that students obtain drugs from the school community. Lack of cooperation from parents and guardians was frustrating DSA intervention efforts in schools. The study concluded that the use of school community was not effective in curbing DSA in schools. The study recommended an integrated approach where different strategies or combination of strategies are used purposively for different DSA cases. Head teachers should collaborate with law enforcers, government agencies; NACADA, NGOs and FBOs to curb the supply and demand of drugs and substances. The Ministry of Education could review its policy on punishment and expulsion as regards to curbing alcohol and drug abuse among students. This paper is an extract of a study conducted in the year 2012 and 2013 in secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. © 2016 Elixir all rights reserved. Elixir Edu. Tech. 95 (2016) 40881-40888 Educational Technology Available online at www.elixirpublishers. com (Elixir International Journal) Tele: E-mail address: selphercheloti@yahoo.com © 2016 Elixir all rights reserved Selpher K. Cheloti and Anthony Mungai Gathumbi/ Elixir Edu. Tech. 95 (2016) 40881-40888 40882 Nigeria has established a comprehensive drug abuse education and prevention plan, which involves students, teachers, parents, and other members of the community (Odejide, 2006). In Kenya, one of the head teachers’ management tasks is to foster good school community relations. Such relations are useful in yielding valuable information on threats such as DSA in the school. Statement of the Problem Alcohol and drug abuse is not only a dangerous behaviour but a risk factor to a host of other risky behaviours such as sexual violence, high risk sexual activities, suicide, and disruptive behaviours in school such as students’ unrest, burning of schools, massive school dropout and dismissal academic performance (Cheloti, 2009 & Republic of Kenya, 2009). Strategies used to curb drug and substance abuse in schools have been found to be ineffective (Cheloti, 2013). This paper explains the role of parents, school boards of management (BOM), parent’s teachers association (PTA) and the community living around schools in curbing DSA. Research Objectives The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the school community in curbing DSA among students in public secondary schools in Nairobi County. The objectives were to: 1. Establish the effectiveness of parental involvement in curbing Alcohol and drug and abuse in secondary schools. 2. Determine the effectiveness of school boards of management (BOM) in curbing Alcohol and drug and abuse in secondary schools. 3. Assess the effectiveness of school community in curbing DSA in secondary schools. Significance of the study DSA is a multifaceted problem that requires a multifaceted approach to tackle it decisively. Studies have shown that no single strategy however well structured can effectively deal with DSA in secondary schools and institutions of learning as a whole (Cheloti, 2013). The findings and recommendations could help the government restructure the overall policy framework for DSA intervention, The government could, based on this findings set up more DSA intervention and rehabilitation programmes in the country where students could find help. Head teachers may use the findings to strengthen, modify and enforce strategies used to curb DSA and enhance public and school community participation in the fight against DSA.