Abstract:

Background: Substance use problems associated with significance morbidity and mortality among the secondary school students; also poses a major public health problems ranging from dropping school, poor academic performance, involvements in crime, sexual transmitted diseases and early pregnancy. Hence failure to attain their secondary education level goals. This study main will investigate the impact of drug abuse on academic performance of students in secondary school in Mwanza town. Identified the common types of drugs abused by the students, explored causes of drug abuse among students in the study areas.

Methodology: A study was conducted in secondary schools in Mwanza in which 123 students were used as a sample. Data was collected by using a researcher questionnaire then analysis was done by using SPSS version 20. Results was presented into percentage and questionnaire in table.

Results: Most of students a much aware of substance abuse are male, their about 65% of all respondents and their age is between 16-18 from day and mixed school. When we look at the substance abuse among students, we notice that alcohol and bhang are frequently used.

Conclusions and Recommendations: Most of students using drug substance fail to attain education goals because they fall in the theft, also they have low concentration span and sometimes lack of interest in studying. Due to factor that, most day students stay with their parents, then parents must educate their children about substance abuse, religious institution must play part to educate children about substance abuse because most respondent their either Catholic, Muslims, Protestants. The government should support those counselling centers so as children can attend counseling against drugs of abuse.