Effects of drug and Substance abuse among the Youth in Nyeri County :A case Study of Gaikundo Village

Abstract

Drug and substance abuse is a global problem and is one of the major problems affecting the youth both in school and out of school .This problem impacts negatively on the academic, social, psychological, economical and physiological development among the abusers. The menace of drugs has strangled the youthful population reducing them to dummies, zombies and drooling figure only to waste out the prime of their lives when they are most needed to invest their energy in worthy nation building ventures. This study sought to establish the effects of drugs and substance abuse among the Youths in Nyeri County. It focused on the various types of drugs and substance abuse by analyzing the commonly abused; the causes of drug and substance abuse; the effects of drug and substance abuse; and the effectiveness of the measures established to curb the menace. A descriptive survey research design was used .purposive sampling was used to select the sample from the various locations within the county and a total of 116 youths were selected. A questionnaire was used to collect information from both the youth and interviews were used for the chief and police officers in the area. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics .the study findings showed that drug and substance abuse among the youth greatly impacts on them especially their health, education and career development and it influences the family and community. key recommendations made are; media be used to emphasize on the effects of drug abuse ; the government needs to create employment for the youth and train youth on time management and entrepreneurship reinforcement of various laws that regulate production and consumption of drugs and substance of abuse and sensitize parents on good role modeling.