Determinants of drug abuse among secondary school pupils: the case of selected high schools in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania.

The purpose of this study was to examine the major factors that have occasioned the problem of drug abuse among secondary school pupils over time. The study sought to investigate the major attributes that have occasioned the situation through Home and School subsectors with other factors, which include non-school and non-home factors. The study was conducted at selected secondary schools in Dar es Salaam region with 111 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to obtain the sample. The study employed a qualitative research design, using focused group discussions, in-depth interviews and informal interviews. The data collected was subjected to content analysis. The study revealed common drugs abused by pupils as marijuana (bhang), alcohol and tobacco. Others are "tambuu chungu", khat (miraa), and very little cocaine. Some parents influence drug abuse among pupils. On the other hand pupils' peer relationship, teachers' and pupils' attitudes towards drug abuse were among the school factors that influence the practice. Other factors include social and personal characteristics. It is recommended that to overcome the problem of drug abuse among school pupils, the government should discourage the availability of any kind of drug abuse in the country, providing drug education to people as well as guidance and counselling services to drug abusers and to school pupils. It is suggested that a similar study should be done in new areas with consideration of gender element, for comparison purposes in order to establish the most viable determinants of drug abuse among secondary school pupils.