Drivers and consequences of substance abuse among university students in uganda: a case of Makerere University

Abstract

Substance abuse among university students in uganda is the major problem facing very many educational institutions in uganda today. In order to understand the reasons for student's substance abuse. The study examined the drivers and consequences of substance abuse among university students in uganda. The study was conducted in makerere university, social of social sciences, college of humanities and social sciences. The participants were fourteen (14) whose age ranged from 14 to 22 years. A qualitative, descriptive research design was employed. Data was gathered using in-depth interviews and key informants interview guides. The study found that substances abused by the participants included alcohol, marijuana, khat, cocaine, and shisha. Their reasons for using these substances included; academic stress, peer pressure, life experiences, need for experimentation, and availability of the substances respectively. However, peer group pressure was identified as the primary factor for university students' substance use. The study also discovered that students who engage in substance abuse experience decadence in academic performance, unstable social relationships, substance dependence as well as health and psychological consequences. The study found that substance abuse affects student’s academic grades due to missing lectures, forgetting about coursework given, not completing them on time, distraction during lectures by friends calling them to go and attend a party that has plenty alcohol, and not sitting their examinations due to fear since they are always not prepared enough. The substances do not only affect the academic performance but also the social relationships of students are greatly affected by substance use since they lose a number of good friends, close family members, and it is very hard for such students to maintain good and meaningful relationships.