The Role of Education in Preventing Substance Abuse and Risky Behaviours Among Secondry School Students: A Study in Jhumpura Block, Keonjhar, Odisha

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the perspectives, behaviours, and decision-making abilities of secondary school students, particularly in relation to drug use and risky conduct. This study implements a series of educational intervention strategies to address substance abuse, including awareness of substance types and symptoms, peer pressure resistance, parental involvement, school ambassador training, and tobacco-free campaigns. The objective is to raise awareness and mitigate the prevalence of substance abuse among students in Jhumpura Block. Utilising percentages and chi-square tests for analysis, results show that 15% of participants who received education still engaged in substance use due to peer influence, while 30% of non-educated students used substances due to local exposure. Conversely, 35% of students refrained from drug use despite not receiving formal education, and 20% of educated participants avoided drugs due to awareness. The study concludes that schools are critical environments for cultivating healthy lifestyles, and successful outcomes rely on effective educational interventions, teacher preparedness, community involvement, and resource availability.