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Drug Abuse Prevention in Universities: Impact & Strategies
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24 attention to this issue. But as general knowledge availability of cheap drugs in the community made it easy for students to access and abuse them. They further cited peer group influence and the need to belo ng as a contributing factor. Other factors were broken homes with poor family relationships, bad influence from parents, guardians, friends and teachers who abuse drugs. In addition, they also stated that belief that drugs help to improve intellectual capa cities influenced some students to take them. Others abused drugs because they wanted to gain popularity in the university. Referring to availability of drugs in the community, the student dean said: “There is too much selling of drug/khat and cigarette here. Our boys and girls can afford it from the little pocket money their parents give them. This is our major challenge as university. 3.2.1.4 Views of officers The university officers expressed their views concerning factors that influence students s to abuse drugs and drug trafficking. They cited peer pressure. They also felt that parents who smoked, drunk and sent their children to fetch beer for them influenced them to do the same, students’ constant poor academic achievements were also cited as a factor that influenced students to abuse drugs and. “ Most of the students that are caught either smoking cigarette or chewing khat are those who came from abusive homes where parent drink and smoke in the presence of their children. In some cases it is the children who are not doing well in school that become easy target of drug abuse due to influence of their friends.” 46 Findings further showed that curiosity was a major factor for beginners in drug abuse. Students who we re in early adolescent stage were driven by the desire to know how it feels to take drugs . 3.2.2Preventive strategies for drug abuse university based education 3.2.2.1 Views of students In this question, the researcher was interested in finding ou t the activities used to prevent drug abuse in university. Findings revealed that students are found information about the 46 Views of officers of DDU 25 infarct of drug information from life skill and HIV AIDS education and learnt through media and share from one another. In addition, there is no enough role plays, video shows, anti drug club meetings, games, sports activities in the university. 3.2.2.2 Views of Teachers Concerning activities that teachers use to prevent abuse of drugs among Students the following were cited; co nducting lecturing life skill and HIV training in university. As regard to content of preventive education taught in university , findings showed that facts about types of drug and their dangers, normative education, drug resistance skills and life skill s were taught in schools is very poor and less given attention to this topic so that there is wider knowledge gape through teachers up students . 3.2.2.3 View of student dean Findings from dean revealed that drug abuse prevention education is not mainly conducted through classroom lessons by teachers, drama performances by studens. and outside theater groups, occasional talks by officers and talks by of during university assembly. Not stated that anti drug abuse messages on posters are put up around the school environment and there is no anti drug day celebrations are practiced in Ethiopia . In regard to the approach used to carry out drug abuse prevention in the university . 3.2.3 Impact of drug abuse and drug trafficking university based preventive strategies on students 3.2.3.1 Views of students Findings showed that out of 4 students who participated in the study, 3 of them indicted that they had not changed due to the drug abuse preventive education because it is not given training in university, while 16 or all indicated that they had not changed despite receiving preventive education. They first got information about prevention of drug abuse from friends while 5 of them said they first got such information from th eir parents. 3.2.3.2 Views of Teachers Findings showed that out of 5 respondents, 2 indicated that the preventive strategies used in the university had an impact on students ’ knowledge about drug abuse prevention , while 3 of said they had an impact on students’ behavior change. 3.2.3.3 Views of Head Teachers 26 Concerning the impact of preventive strategies on students’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior, Head teachers stated that most of their students who rece ive drug and drug abuse preventive education knew a lot of facts on types of drug, physical and emotional effect, social and economic effect of drug abuse. However, they also indicted that some did not refrain from experimenting with or indulging in dr ug abuse despite learning about them. 3.2.4 Ways of enhancing university - based drug abuse and drug trafficking preventive strategies. 3.2.4.1 Vi ews of students Students suggested the following measures to prevent drug abuse in campus: punishment, suspension, forced transfers, summoning parents and appearing before the disciplinary committee. “Like here at our campus, those who are caught smoking and chewing chat are mainly punished. 3.2.4.2 Views of Teachers Teachers suggested the following measures to prevent drug abuse in campus punishment, suspension, establish ment of guidance and counseling department, training of peer educators, putting up posters in the school grounds, involvement of parents in teaching their children against drug abuse, support for anti drug clubs and giving talks on drugs during an assemb ly. Teachers further suggested that guidance teachers should have at least one period per week to teach about effects of abusing drugs. In addition, they should have special training in psychosocial issues of students, and that universities s should inv ite other organization on regular basis to talk to students about drug abuse prevention, and forming or strengthening anti drug clubs. 3.2.4.3 Views of student dean Dean suggested several measures to improve drug abuse preventive education in c ampus. These included: special in service training for teachers in drug abuse preventive education, training of more peer educators by supporting anti drug clubs in campus . In addition, sensitizing parents on healthy parent child relationship and need to take interest into the affairs of their children, next to include in curriculum preventive education in university . 3.2.5 Summary 27 This chapter has presented the findings of the study in line with the objectives. The study found out that factors that influenced students to abuse drugs included: peer pressure, personal and emotional problems at home and at universities , poor parenti ng styles, and ignorance of consequences, Other factors were constant poor performance in universities work, having fun and feeling curiosity, belief that drugs help to improve intellectual capacities, and availability of drugs in the community. Concern ing preventive strategies used in universities. CHAPTER FOUR 4.1 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The study was conducted to determine the impact of drug abuse and drug trafficking university based preventive strategies on students. 4.1.1 Conclusion The current drug abuse and drug trafficking university based preventive strategies have to a larger extent impacted on students positively. For instance, students were now more knowledgeable about the dangers of drug abuse and drug traffi cking as they are able to learn about drug abuse at a younger age and the involvement of parents to discuss their children’s drug abuse behavior helped some students to change their behavior. However, the aspect of positive behavior change has not signi ficantly been influenced. Some students still abuse drugs as a way of fitting in peer groups, believing that it can enhance their intellectual capacities or feel that they are grown ups. The study has shown that the preventive strategies mostly used for drug abuse education in university were not conducted in classroom lessons, lectures, talks with officers, video shows and counselling. Moreover very little was done on resistance skills and life skills training. Although this strategy has a positive i mpact on knowledge about drugs, it did not translate into change in behavior. In order to enhance the preventive strategies, students, teachers, Head teachers have suggested a number of measures dissemination strategy which one be responsible for the limit ed impact the drug prevention education has on students’ behavior change. It is the view of the researcher, just as this study and many other studies have indicated that, in 28 order to have a greater impact on students in terms of behavior change, there is a need to use preventive strategies that are interactive and skill based. 4.1.2 Recommendations Based on the study findings, the following recommendations are made: •University based drug abuse prevention should be given more attention by government o n more interactive activities such as including in curriculum as one teaching program or course and other strategies to use focus group discussions, role plays, games, anti drug club meetings and life skills training which stimulates active participation of all students and provides a platform for practicing attitudes and skills for behavior change. • Teachers, officers and other providers of drug abuse preventive education should teach students more of drug refusal skills in combination with social lif e skills training other than factual information on drugs and their dangers only, as these are more likely to lead to behavior change. • With regard to delivery process, providers of this education should extend it to lower grades in basic universities i n order to cater for younger students. • University authorities should use trained peer educators as role models for behavior change, while parents/guardians should be involved in supporting their children to live drug free lives. • Teachers should receive special training in drug abuse preventive education. This is necessary to ensure effective delivery of drug and abuse related issue. 29 Supplementary part DIRE DAWA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW Name Professions Age Sex Year’s I ask pleasantry to fill the following blank space by your own perspective based on the contents of the related question 1.D o you think that drug abuse and drug trafficking is exist in the campus? Yes No If your answer is “yes” what are the factors that influence students to use abuse drug and drug trafficking?..................................................................................... ........................................ ............................................................................................................................ . ................... ........................................................................ ........................................................................ ............................................................................................................................ . ................... ........................................ ......................................................... 2. D o you know any preventive strategies of drug abuse and drug trafficking in dire Dawa university? Yes No If your answer is “yes” what are they? ........................................................................................................... ......................... ....................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................ . ............ ....... 30 ................................................ ............................................................................ ................... ........................................................................ If your answer is “No” what do y ou think any possible strategy to prevent the problem of drug abuse and drug trafficking in your mind ? ...................................................................................................... ................................................. ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................ . ................... ................. ............................... ............................................................................................. .. ........................................................................ 3. D o you think that drug abuse and drug trafficking hav e any impact? Yes No If your answer is “yes” what are that impact’s ................................................... ........................................... ............................................................................................................................ . ................... .................................................................... ............................................................................ ................................................ ............................................................................ ................... .................................... .................................... If your answer is “No” how? ........................................................................................................................ .. .................................................................... ............................................................................ ............................................................................................................................ . ................... .................................... ............ ............................................................................................... ......................................................................... 4.have you any possible way of enhancement to prevent drug abuse and drug trafficking in our campus? Yes No If your answer is “yes” what are they? .................................. .................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................ . ................... ............ ................................................................................................................ ............ ....... ............................................................................................................................ .................... ..... 31 If your answer is “No” what is your personal view about the way of enhancement? ................................................................................................................ ........ .............................. .................................................................................................................. .............................................................................. .............................................. ................. .. ..................................................................... ............................... 32 REFERENCES Food, Medicine and Healthcare Administration and Control authority of Ethiopia National Essential Medicine List Fifth Edition APROCLAMATION TO PROVIDE FORDRUG ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL PROCLAMATION NO. 176/1999 NATIONAL DRUG POLICYOFTHE TRANSITIONAL GOVE RNMENT OF ETHIOPIA Nov. 1993 Ethiopian Food, Medicines and Health Care Administration and Control Authority Ministry of Health ETHIOPIA NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL MASTER PLAN2017 2022 Lakhampal and Agnihotri (2007), “Drug Abuse and International Problem: A s hort review with special reference to African Continent,” Indian Journal of Medical and Toxicology Vol.1 no 1. Lindlof, T. R. and Taylor, B.C. (2000), Qualitative Communication Research Methods (2nd Ed.), Thousand Oaks: Sage Publication Maithya, R.W. (20 09), “Drug Abuse in Secondary Schools in Kenya: Developing a Programme for Prevention and Intervention,” (Doctoral thesis UNISA). Midford R., Lenton, S. and Hancock, L. (2000), “A Critical Review and Analysis: Cannabis Education in Schools”, A Report fo r the NSW Dept. of Education and Training, Perth: Cutin University of Technology. Retrieved 26/07/10 MOE Nchimbu, J.V. (2005), “The Evaluation of the Magnitude of Drug Abuse, Trafficking and Related issues in selected Primary Schools in Kinandoni Municip ality, Dar es Salaam Region” (dissertation). Retrieved 05 / 05 / 2011 Nsemukila, B.G. and Mutombo, N. (2000), “Drug (Ab)use Opinion Poll: Cannabis (ab)use in Selected Areas Along Zambia’s Main Line of Rail,” DMIP DEC, Lusaka Paul Christopher, Agnes Ger eben Schaefer, and colin p.clarke, “the challenge of violent drug – trafficking organizations : an assessment of Mexican security based
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