Causes of drug abuse in public secondary schools in Kenya: A case of wote division in makueni district, eastern province Kenya .

Abstract

Drug Abuse is a problem World wide. It is a scourge that does not respect national boundaries, race, creed, level of education, age or economic status Use of drugs is as old as mankind and had been an integral part of each society. Man has been using substances from plants as medicines. When drugs are properly administered they are medicinal blessings to human beings. Man had basically all communities knew how to make alcohols. With onset of modem science we have seen refining and standardizing of drugs in laboratories (Mitchell, 2003) Karechio (1996) notes that, unfortunately some drugs produce enticing side effects such as Euphoria, a sense of feeling good, elating serenity and power such that what began as means of relaxatior, evolved in time into a problem of dependence and abuse (Karechio 1996:14) Ciakuthi (1999) quoting from Yussuf (1983) explicits that man's knowledge of drugs is very old. For instance, the Chinese knew about Cannabis sativa (bhang) since 2700BC while Egyptians knew about opium since 1500 BC. Alcohol originated from Greece who invented it's fermentation. In Biblical times drugs such as alcohol were taken but sometimes with sad outcomes for instance Noah took wine and was naked. One of his Sons (Ham) saw his father naked and was cursed (Genesis 9:21-22). Lot under influence of alcohol had incestuous relationship with his two daughters (Genesis 19:30- 36). King Solomon was in deceit of alcohol when he wrote: "Look not thou up on the 1 wine when it is red, when it gives its colour in the cup .......... at last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder (Proverbs 23:31-32). According to Kateregga and snenk (1980) the Holy Quaran teaches sharia as a complete code of life. The Sharia shows what acts of life are forbidden (Haram) e.g. wine drinking. Drug Abuse has become one of the most important social issues of our times. Illicit drugs has killed people and even destroyed families. Drugs have power to undermine international and community relations. It disturbs financial systems and corrupt governments. Michel laments that, despite this being one of the international most important concern, information on illicit drugs and supply is limited and obscured by its very illegality (Mitchel 2003).