Drug Abuse and its Influence on Psychological Well-being of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Zanzibar

Abstract: Drug abuse among adolescents in African schools has become a growing public health and educational crisis, with significant implications for individual well-being, academic performance, and societal development. Adolescents, undergoing rapid emotional and psychological changes, are especially vulnerable to experimenting with substances such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine, synthetic drugs, alcohol, and inhalants. Recent data from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania highlight an alarming rise in substance use among secondary school students, particularly in urban areas where factors like unemployment, peer pressure, weak parental oversight, and porous borders increase access to drugs. For example, a 2024 NACADA report revealed that over 30% of students in Nairobi and Mombasa had used narcotics, while similar trends were observed in Tanzania and Uganda. This pattern extends beyond East Africa, with countries like South Africa and Nigeria also reporting increased abuse of substances such as cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and codeine among school-aged youth. Keywords: Drug Abuse, Influence, Psychological Well-being, Public, Secondary Schools, Zanzibar Title: Drug Abuse and its Influence on Psychological Well-being of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Zanzibar Author: Khamis Juma Khamis (MSCP), Dr.Dorothy Lubawa (PhD), Dr. Mkumbo G. Mitula (PhD) International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning ISSN 2394-9686 Vol. 12, Issue 5, September 2025 - October 2025 Page No: 64-73 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 24-October-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17434138 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Drug%20Abuse%20and%20its%20Influence%20on%20Psychological%20Well-being-24102025-4.pdf