The relationship between drug abuse and violence among the Makerere University Students

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the relationship between drug abuse and violence among students both male and female with special focus on university students of Makerere University. A cross section study design was used to collect primary data with the aid of both structured and unstructured questionnaire design, using online based questionnaire (Google form) method of data collection via Watt‘s-App, SMS and E-mail. A total of 794 questionnaire forms were distributed and retrieved for the study. Data collected were analyzed using STATA software; univariate (frequency and percentages), bivariate (X2 and P-values) and multivariate (OR and CI). Respondents were made up of males and females, age groups; under 26, 26-35 and above 35years and spread across several collages namely; COBAMS, CAES, CEES, CHUSS, COCIS, CONAS, COVAB, CHS, CEDAT and School of Law. Findings of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between drug abuse and violence among Makerere University students (P-value=0.000). The study therefore recommended effective educational awareness, effective parenting and guidance, massive counselling, imprisoning of offenders, and the government should enforce legal sanctions on the abuse of drugs by members of the society as possible solutions to drug abuse.