Causes of Drug Abuse on the Behavior of Pupils of Selected Primary Schools in Kabare Education Zone Kirinyaga, Kenya

Abstract

Many pupils have dropped out of school in the past in Kabare Education Zone. The researcher felt that one of the factors causing the dropout is drug abuse. This because the children are seen abusing tobacco and alcohol immediately they leave school. The research was about causes of drug abuse on the behaviour of pupils of selected primary schools in Kabare Education zone. The researcher used survey methods to reach out the pupils in the zone. The instrument used was questionnaires. The methods used in sampling the respondents included purposive sampling (for head teachers), lottery method (for teachers) and stratified sampling for parents and learners. The raw data was analyzed qualitatively. The study revealed that drugs were commonly abused in the abused in the zone. The most prevalent drug was tobacco and alcohol. The causes of drug abuse were found out as frustrations and anger and the inability of parents to meet their children’s developmental needs. The recommendations from the study aimed at improving schools through guidance and counseling of children from schools so as to improve on their morality and self-esteem and to create in the sense of values and morals.