PEER PRESSURE AND ITS ROLE IN STUDENTS' DRUG CONSUMPTION: EVIDENCE FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BUEA SUB-DIVISION

Drug consumption among secondary school students has become a major concern in many communities, including Buea Municipality. Despite efforts by educators, parents, and government bodies to address the problem, many students continue to engage in drug use, often influenced by their peers. This study investigates the role of peer pressure in shaping students’ drug consumption habits in selected secondary schools within Buea Municipality. This study sought to find out the role of peer influence on drug consumption of students in secondary schools in Buea Municipality. Specifically, this study sought to find out how attachment to friends influence students’ drugs consumption in secondary schools Buea Municipality, to investigate how conformity with peers’ influence students drug consumption in secondary schools in Buea Municipality. A mixed survey method was used which adopted the quantitative and qualitative design to collect data from form four, form five and lowers Sixth students. A total of 65 copies of the questionnaire will be distributed to the selected sample and 10 interview guide questions to 10 students The sample size was 75 correspondents from three schools. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire and interview. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics with use of tables, percentages, and frequencies and qualitative data analysed thematically using themes and codes. Using Spearman’s correlation test, the research is significant at MRS=(rs (100) = 0.65, p=0.01). Findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between attachment to friends, conformity with peers and students’ drug consumption in secondary schools in Buea municipality. Based on the findings, it was concluded that peer influence plays a significant role on drug consumption of students in secondary schools in Buea Municipality. It is therefore recommended that schools should implement peer mentorship programs to foster positive attachments among students. Counsellors should educate students on resisting negative peer pressure and conformity. Schools should promote and expand access to structured extracurricular activities to engage students positively.