Drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem in Kenya. A number of studies carried out in the country show that almost every Kenyan youngster at one time or another experiments with drugs, especially beer and cigarettes. The major cause of concern is that a significant proportion of these young people eventually get addicted posing a threat to their own health and safety, while creating difficulties for their families and the public at large. This study sought to establish the extent of drug and substance abuse in secondary schools in Kenya, and to analyze the strategies used to address the problem. The study is a descriptive survey. In view of this, the field survey method was adopted to collect quantitative data, using questionnaires and interviews. The key findings from the study were that drug abuse among students is common; both boys and girls have abused drugs with the majority being in boys schools; the greatest ratio of drug abusers to non-abusers among the sampled schools are aged between 16 and 18 years; there is a significant relationship between drug abuse and age, use of drugs by other family members and easy access to drugs.

Autorentext

Njoki Kimani is a lecturer in the department of social Sciences at Karatina University in Kenya, she is currently under taking her PhD in Development Studies at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and has M A in Criminology and Social Order from University of Nairobi, B A in Sociology from Kenyatta University.