| Popis: |
Student Alcohol and other Drug Abuse is common place in colleges and universities. Without a greater level of understanding of the problem from every standpoint, nations risky losing brilliant young people to physical and mental health challenges. The objective of this study was to examine the reasons and the consequences of alcohol and other drugs abuse among students in Zambia taking one private university as a case study. A total of 30 participants whose age ranged between 21 and 27years were sampled through snowball sampling. Qualitative data was collected between March and June, 2022. The study found that some students entered the university already hooked on drugs and alcohol while others got influenced while on campus. Trigger factors for substance abuse on campus included satisfying cravings arising from addiction; desire to integrate with a social group, to read intensively for higher grades, to navigate stress and problems and for fun. Despite the ecstasy derived from the abuse of alcohol and drugs, the study found that the ultimate agony was a catalogue of behavioural and medical related problems- poor grades due to casual attitude characterized by missing classes which ultimately increased their chances to dropout or stay longer in school, risk of being bashed by cars on the road due to poor judgement when intoxicated including being a social nuisance to other students. Medical effects included mental health problems, malnutrition, stomach ulcers and liver problems. Preventive Health Education, counseling, treatment and intensified rehabilitation are critical to combating the problem of substance abuse among young people. |
