Abstract:
In spite of the government efforts in the fight against drug and substance abuse in Kenya, the problem is still rampant among the University students. The purpose of this study aimed at assessing the strategies used by Maasai Mara University in curbing drugs and substance abuse among the students. The study was guided by the following objectives; investigate the extent to which Guidance and Counseling curb drugs and substance abuse among the students of Maasai Mara University; to establish the effectiveness of the school community involvement in curbing drugs and substance abuse among the students of Maasai Mara University and to assess the effectiveness of University rules and Regulations in curbing drugs and substance abuse among the students of Maasai Mara University. The study utilized descriptive survey design, where the sample of 10% of the total population was selected and a sample size of respondents was obtained for the study. Quantitative research approaches were used to collect information. Stratified random sampling was used to select the sample that represented the whole population. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used since they make easier to collect data from the respondents. Data was collected and arranged by coding and editing into manageable proportions and entered into the computer by use of Microsoft Excel spread sheet computer programs. The presentation of the study findings was in form of tables, bar graphs and figures where necessary. In summary of the findings, it was found that the majority of those who participate in guidance and counseling intervention program learn more about themselves reflect and think about the consequences of drugs. The study also found that majority of the respondents agreed that drug peddlers are from the community who use some students to deliver drugs to other students. The study also found that the majority agreed that the University rules and Regulations in curbing drugs should be very strict to an extent the students will fear in abusing drugs. The study concluded that indeed the problem of Drug and Substance Abuse exist and that Maasai Mara university uses various strategies to curb the problem. The study recommended that Teachers Training Colleges, Universities, Kenya Education Management Institute previously (KESI) and Kenya School of Government previously (KIA) need to equip all school administrators and teachers with knowledge skills and attitudes that enable them deal with Drug and Substance Abuse cases in schools and Universities.
