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

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).

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?

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.

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.