Abstract

Drug abuse is becoming an increasing problem among students in Uganda. The major cause for concern is that a high proportion of the Ugandan youth in secondary schools are involved in drugs. As a result, these young people eventually become addicted, posing a threat to their own health and safety. This study sought to establish the current trend of drug abuse among students in Ugandan secondary schools. The aim was to analyze the strategies used to address the problem and propose prevention and intervention measures. This article reports on the findings of the study which was carried out in Uganda. The study, being descriptive in nature, adopted a field survey approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data using structured questionnaires and interviews. The sample population consisted of students, teachers and parents from selected secondary schools in, Uganda. Some of the major findings of the study showed that drug abuse is widespread among students, regardless of gender and that there is a strog relationship between drug abuse and family members using/abusing drugs, as well as the easy availability of drugs to students. The findings also emphasize key challenges in addressing the drug abuse problem among students. The study makes several recommendations for developing strategies for drug abuse prevention and intervention.