Influence of Family Environment on the Prevalence of Illicit Drug Use Among Public Secondary School Students in Nakuru Municipality, Nakuru County, Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing prevalence of illicit drug abuse among students in public secondary schools in Nakuru Municipality. The study was based on a co-relational descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was 11, 597 students and 23 teacher counsellors in public secondary schools in Nakuru Municipality. Stratified random sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 340 students and four teacher counsellors from form one, form two and form four classes. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedule and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, frequency counts, percentages and frequency tables. The study concluded that home environment influenced drug abuse among students. Easy availability of drugs within home and school surroundings also influenced students to abuse drugs. Exposure to media with drug content also influenced students to abuse drugs. The study recommends that the school administration should counsel students so as to eradicate associated factors influencing drug abuse among students. The schools should also work closely with the community around and other stakeholders to sensitize students, teachers, non teaching staff and members of community on the dangers of drug abuse.