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Drug abuse
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INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
TANGAZA COLLEGE
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA
ADM. NO.12043 S
DRUG ABUSE AMONG THE YOUTH IN KWARE SLUMS
LECTURER: MR. JOSHUA ITUMO
A TERM PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE BACHELOR OF EDUCTION DEGREE OF
TANGAZA.
JULY 2, 2012
1
BACKGROUNG INFORMATION
Drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem in Kenya. According to studies carried out
by Population Communication Africa (Masita, 2004:117), 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 into difficulties.
Abuse of drugs not only holds back the economy because control of supply and the
reduction of demand are expensive undertakings, but is also a blow to the country as its
youth becomes less productive. According to the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy
(2005), drug abuse, including smoking and drinking alcohol, imposes substantial costs on
users and their families, taxpayers, on the national economy and the community as a
whole. International studies show that half of the long-term smokers will die prematurely,
half of these in middle age (Doll, 2004:120). The studies also argue that, smokers are four
times more likely than non-smokers to suffer from a heart attack before age 40 (Kiiru,
2004:39). In addition, the earlier young people start smoking, and the more they smoke
over their lifetime, the more likely they are to suffer from smoking-related diseases.
A number of academic research reports and law enforcement reports indicate that in the
last few years, Kenya has had to deal with an increase in the drug abuse problem. It has
been noted that drug abuse is fast spreading to rural and slum areas. In slum areas the
abuse widespread due to extreme poverty, unemployment and poor living conditions.
This is causing a lot of concern as the vice has been identified as a major cause of some
of the problems experienced in Kenya (Gikonyo, 2005: 105).
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This study is seeking to establish the current trend of drug abuse among the youth in
Kware Location Ongata Rongai of Kajiado County, and to analyze the strategies used to
address the problem. The ultimate aim is to propose a programme for prevention and
intervention.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The overall objective of this study is to find out the current trend of drug abuse among the
youth in Kware slum area of Ongata Rongai Kajiado County and analyze the strategies
used to address the problem. The ultimate aim is to propose a programme to help curb the
problem.
The specific objectives of the study are as follows:
a) To examine the causes and extent of drug abuse among youth in Kware Location.
b) To identify commonly abused drugs among the youth in Kware Location.
c) To identify and evaluate strategies used in the Kware Location to address drug
abuse, their effectiveness and shortcomings.
d) To propose strategies that could help curb drug abuse in Kware Location.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study will attempt to answer the following questions:
a) What is the extent of drug abuse among youth in Kware Location?
b) What are the main causes of drug abuse among the youth in Kware Location?
c) Which are the drugs commonly abused by the youth in Kware Location?
d) What strategies are used to address drug abuse in Kware Location?
e) How effective are the methods used to address the drug abuse?
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f) What modifications are needed within the current strategies to establish an
effective programme against drug abuse in Kware Location?
HYPOTHESES
The following are the hypotheses for this study:
a) Poverty, unemployment and poor living conditions are the main causes of drug
abuse among the youth in Kware slums.
b) Alcoholic drinks, cannabis, cocaine and heroine are the main drugs used by
the youth in Kware location.
c) There are no strategies used in the Kware Location presently to address drug
abuse.
CONCLUSION
This study is intended to show that drug abuse is a threat to the general public as well as
to the youth in Kenyan slums and in particular Kware Location. It is evident from many
studies that drug abuse amongst the youth and society in general must be fought in all
ways so as to bring down substance abuse and related problems at all levels in the society.
In Kenya, drug abuse has threatened the lives of the youth of 30 years and below. The
implication is that with this threat hanging over it the future of the society is uncertain and
therefore something must be done urgently to address the problem. Change can only be
attained if all the parties concerned have seen its need and have made an informed
decision to effect it. Eradication of drug abuse is therefore the collective responsibility of
all the stakeholders. It is also clear that this eradication can only succeed by first tackling
the problem of poverty, unemployment and the poor living conditions in slum areas in
Kenya.
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REFERENCES
Doll, R. Morality in Relation to Smoking: 50 years’ Observations on Male British
Doctors. Br Med J. 2004; 328:1519.
Gikonyo, M. (2005). Drug Abusers and Parental Knowledge on Factors Predisposing the
Youth to Drugs and Substance Abuse in Nairobi Province, Kenya. Unpublished M.ED
Thesis, Kenyatta University.
Kiiru, D. (2004). Youth in Peril: Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Kenya. NACADA 2004.
Masita, M. (2004). Initiatives in Counteracting Drug Abuse. Journal on Social and
Religious Concern, Volume 17, No 3-2004. Substance Abuse: Causes and Cures.
National Tobacco Strategy, 2004-2009. Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. November
2004.Commonwealth: Australia. 2005.
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