DEVELOPMENT OF A DRUG ABUSE INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO ANALYSE THE CAUSE

AND IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE AMONGST STUDENTS
AND HOW TO BE SOLVED.

BY

NAME STUDENT NO REG NO

 CHAPTER ONE
Background
Drug abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of
creating pleasurable effects on the brain. There are over millions of drug users
around the world and this is especially among the youth. In Uganda young people
between ages 18-25 are at a heightened risk of addiction. Drug abuse has been
described as a problem especially among marginal groups who are unemployed.
Cannabis is mainly abused by street and school youth; cocaine abuse is among
high income groups. Drugs have categories like depressants for example heroin,
stimulants and hallucinogens for example ecstasy. These can be administered orally
inform of pills or injection, inhaling substance inform of smoke or via snorting the
substance so it is absorbed into the blood vessels of the nose. Uganda has reported
high rates of substance among students in high schools. A study done on drug and
substance abuse in schools of Kampala and Wakiso found that between 60-71
percent of students used illicit drugs with alcohol and cannabis taking the biggest
percentage. The national mental hospital shows that 30 percent of hospital
admissions are related to drug abuse. These are some of the facts about alcohol
and drug abuse among clients of rehabilitation facilities in Kampala.
Majority of the clients (87.3%) in rehabilitation facilities are aged 25 and above.
Most of the clients (84.6%) who abuse alcohol and drugs have attained at least
secondary.
Clients with secondary education level (43.9%) abused alcohol compared to those
with tertiary (40.7%), primary (8.9%) and those with no education (6.7%)
Additionally, clients with secondary education highly abused cannabis (62.0%)
compared to those with tertiary, primary and no education (19.4%, 12.4%and 6.2%)
respectively. 69.8% of the clients with secondary education abuse heroin compared
to 12.9%,11.1% and 6.4% for primary, tertiary and no education. It is also noted that
a high population of the clients obtain their alcohol and drugs from street dealers
(52%) or friends (37%).

Problem statement
The continued usage of alcohol and drugs among students despite the
existence of measures to prevent substance abuse and alcohol has risen greatly.
 Aims and Objectives
General Aim
To develop an information management system for Universities that sensitizes
students about the effects of drug abuse, help them find solutions on how to
overcome it through tutorials and gain access to professional counsellors.
Specific Objectives
To undertake planning and system requirement collection regarding the system
development
To make the Work Breakdown Structure for the development of the system
regarding what activities will be undertaken , which individuals will oversee them and
the duration of all activities while highlighting our milestones.
To develop and test the system in working environment.
To make any necessary upgrades, implement and maintain the system in various
Universities.

Research Scope
The time available for this research is one week therefore we weren’t able to fully
reach most students in different universities, secondary and primary schools to ask
them about the effects of drug abuse and alcohol on their performance. We only
accessed two universities to talk with students about their experiences. Our
research was based on geographical scope.
We visited students at Makerere Business School in Nakawa and those at Kampala
International University. We did not go beyond Kampala because of the transport
fares.

Research Significance
Introduction.
The findings of this study are useful to the community, the students in different
institutions, government and also parents. The study revealed the influence of major
drugs on students’ academic performance and in their behaviour aspects. There are
many parents and teachers with questions as to why their students don’t perform as
expected, the government is also looking for explanations as to why the youth are
not innovative and as to why most of them drop out of school.
To the Community;
Basing on our research, it will help the community to have safer streets since most
street children are under substance use and due to the implementation of our drug
abuse information management system more sensitization and counselling solutions
will be provided.
To the Students;
Our Drug Abuse Information System will help students be open about their
experiences and how they were able to overcome since students will be able to gain
access to councillors and different solutions can be posted to the discussion forum.
Such situations can be an inspiration to their fellows who are still in the dark about
the severe effects of use of substance and alcohol. It will also help them quit the
practice and focus on their studies in order to excel.
To the Government;
This Drug Abuse information management system will help the government know
the type, source of drugs to students and find better ways on how to stop drug
trafficking. They can investigate further and get to know those who supply drugs
among students and streets. Since the system will be registered and regulated by
Uganda Communications Commission and the National Drug Authority, the
government will be able to track information.
To the National Drug Authority;
Drug Abuse Information Management System will provide NDA and related
agencies to find the rate of drug abuse like depressants which are taken in large
quantities among students due to a lot of depression, anxiety, stress to help them
feel better.
To the Parents;
This research will help parents understand the different reasons as to why their
children use drugs and alcohol and their effects and how they can support and
assist them in their journeys to rehabilitation.

REFERENCES
Makerere Researchers Develop Alcohol and Drug Use
National Library of Information
News Medical Life Sciences
National Institute on Drug Abuse.
 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter is about the literature related to the drug abuse and students at risk of
school failure. The study focuses on the effects of drug abuse, reasons for drug
abuse among students and measures towards the prevention of drug abuse.

How different forms of drugs are abused?

Drug abuse has been defined as self administration of drugs for non medical
reasons, in quantities and frequencies which may impart inability to function
effectively and which may result in physical, social and or emotional harm.
Another author has defined it as the unspecified use of a drug other than for
legitimate purposes. Using this latter definition, substances that have been abused
in Uganda would include antibiotics, antidiarrheals, laxatives and pain-relieving
drugs.
In Uganda, studies show that more than a fifth (21%) of secondary school children
take alcohol, a figure that rises to more than three-quarters (68%) for university
pupils. A large number of students across all age groups have been exposed to
alcohol, tobacco, Mira (Khat), glue sniffing, bhang (marijuana) and even hard drugs
such as heroin and cocaine.
According to study by Syringe (2001) on drug abuse, 22% of students were on
drugs and males had a higher exposure to Mira and inhalants. In addition, the study
also found out that the prevalence of drug abuse increased from secondary to
tertiary institutions. Alcohol was the most frequently drug followed by those staying
with either a sister or a brother. Students staying in towns were also reported to
have a risk of having tasted alcohol, tobacco, Mira, bhang and inhalants compared
to those in rural areas. This survey demonstrated that the youth in the urban areas,
due to their lifestyles are more predisposed to drugs compared to those in rural
areas.

Some of the reviewed Drug abuse Management Information System in

existence
We reviewed one of the Drug abuse systems called ”Addictions Management
Information Systems.” Which is based in Canada.
It is a database management system which was launched in 2014 for the National
native alcohol and drug abuse program and youth substance abuse program
treatment centers

The causes of drug abuse among learners

Researchers have cited various reasons for students' abuse of drugs which include:-
Easy availability of drugs
According to Merton and Njsbert (1971) people use illegal drugs because of their
ready availability and promotion interests of those who are in position to benefit
financially from their sale
Peer group pressure
The interest and expectation of the peer groups have an important bearing on
whether or not a person will try dependence producing drug. A friend or peer group
is likely to be the source of information for drug users about the availability of drugs
and their allegeable effects.
The age factors
Majority of students are adolescents, a stage of transition from childhood to
adulthood. It is a momentous period of life filled with changes, difficulties and special
problems. It is described as period of storm and stress a time of self discovery and
self assertion. This is the stage the youth tend to experiment a lot
(Okech, 1977).
Curiosity
Curiosity is one of man's outstanding characteristics. It is not surprising then that
many young people will wish to try some drug in order to determine the effects for
themselves.
Parental influence
Pudo (1998) noted that children from families where parents take drug tend to
imitate the behavior of their parents by taking illegal drugs. Young people learn from
what they see by imitating what parents and other people in the community do.
Availability of cash
The availability of cash to the youth as pocket money and travel allowances
especially if excessive can be redirected into purchasing of drugs. The money is
usually not put into proper use and when opportunities arise they team up with
friends, taste drugs and eventually become drug addicts.

Conclusion
Most students abuse drugs for enjoyment and those from low-income areas are
more at risk. Family members are found to be an important link in the initial
development of the drug taking habit.
In deviation from the systems we reviewed, our Management System provides a
discussion Forum where students or users can share their experiences, lessons
learned and to how they overcame their addiction which can be a better source of
inspiration from fellow peers at a level councillors and parents may not be able to
reach.
This system will further more have a direct connection to online councillors and
provide platforms for application for appointments with any desired Councillor in our
system.
Hence there is need for early intervention that targets students. More effort should
be made to develop drug abuse prevention strategies that target students as a high-
risk group such as the “Drug Abuse Information Management System”.
 CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter discusses the methods used to collect data. It discusses the design,
study area, sample size and sampling procedure, instruments, data collection
procedure and data processing and analysis.
Research design
This study used a descriptive survey. The research drew from both the qualitative
and quantitative analysis approaches in order to get a bigger picture both in number
and data.
Study area
This study was conducted in selected universities of Makerere Business School in
Nakawa and Kampala International University to investigate on the drug abuse
among students at risk of school failure
Sample size
The study group comprised the students present in the school on the day of the
survey. The research design was through a cross-sectional survey. Data collection
was through the use of structured closed ended questionnaires.
Data collection procedure
Data collection was through the use of structured closed ended questionnaires that
were given out to students and this lasted a day.
Methods for data collection
Data processing and analysis
Qualitative data involved editing. Editing was done by looking through each of the
field responses from interview guides ascertaining that every applicable question
has an answer and all errors eliminated for the completeness, accuracy and
uniformity.

REFERENCES
Croen L.G Woesner M Hermann M & M Reichgott (1997). Substance use and
abuse: A longitudinal study of substance use and abuse in a single class of medical
pupils, academic medicine Washington DC
Olatuwas M. O & A.O Odejide (1974). Prrevalence of drug taking among secondary
school pupils: a pilot study. In proceedings of the workshop on alcoholism and drug
addiction in Africa held in Nairobi Kenya.
Kwamanga D.H.O, Odhiambo J. A & EL Amukoye(2003). Prevalence and risk
factors of smoking among secondary school pupils in Nairobi
Siringi S (2003). Alarm over drugs: Nacada study cites rampant drug abuse. Daily
Naition Kenya
Siringi S and K Waihenya (2001). Drug abuse rife as government braces for
narcotics was in Kenyan schools