The Influence of Drug and Substance Abuse on Frequent Inter-Ethnic Voilence and Clashes in Mount Elgon District: A Case of the Youth in Cheptais Division

ABSTRACT

One of the most compelling challenges facing Kenya today is the problem of illicit drugs and youth violence. The picture is grim with the Kenyan statistics on the drugs scenario is taken into account. With a turnover of around Kshs 100 billions, it is the third largest business in Kenya, next to petroleum and arms trade. About 10 million people all over the country consume one drug or the other. Drug addiction causes immense human distress and the illegal production and distribution of drugs have spawned crime and violence in Kenya. Today, there is no part of Kenya that is free from the curse of drug trafficking and drug addiction. 

Millions of drug addicts, all over the world, are leading miserable lives, between life and death. However, among the youth in this sample, the majority who committed crimes did not doso in connection with drugs (14 per cent). Given all these social challenges, the key question which had been on the researcher’s mind constantly, was how then can these drug abuse and youth violence interventions be effectively managed to particularly, the rural youth majority?Therefore, the overall aim of this project was to explore the influence of drug and substance abuse among youth contributes to outbreak of inter-ethnic violence in Mount Elgon. The researcher was more interested in the relationship between illicit drugs and youth violence so to develop intervention measures. . The objectives that guided the researcher in this experiential investigation were: to establish illicit drugs commonly abused in Mount Elgon District, to identify the root causes of illicit drug abuse among the Mount Elgon District, to find out the relationship between youth violent behavior and illicit drug use, to find out whether the type and number of illicit drugs influence violence, to establish the influence of illicit drugs   on   domestic   violence,   to   ascertain   whether   socio   demographic   characteristics influence abuse of illicit drugs and youth violent behavior,  and finally examine the possible suggestions for public health personnel to reduce and prevent illicit drug  use and crime among youth in the sample area. By adopting these objectives the field study sort to establish answers to the researcher’s major question.The theoretical framework was based on written literature concerning how drugs, such as alcohol and Marijuana, may induce violence. These drugs can also be a catalyst for aggressive-prone individuals who exhibit violent behavior as result of taking them. To understand these changes in behaviors critically according the nature of study, the researcher administered appropriate instruments. These were mainly semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussions written material questionnaires and direct observation. The results that emerged from the analysis of data on illicit drug and substance and youth violence yielded the following conclusions: Most youth respondents reported an increase in their abuse of illicit drugs leading to immense human distress and the illegal production and distribution of drugs have spawned crime and violence in the whole country. Thousands of drug addicts, all over the country, are leading miserable lives, between life and death. As a result of drug addiction youth, the results showed that (61 percent) of the respondents who had consumed alcohol caused violence. That total accounts for over one-third of all arrests in this division. Many perpetrators of violent crime were also using illicit drugs. Some of these drugs, such as marijuana, tobacco, may induce violence. These drugs also were a catalyst for aggressive-prone individuals who exhibit violent behavior as result of taking them. The need for preventing alcohol and other drug problems is clear when the following statistics are examined: Alcohol is a key factor in up to 64 percent of manslaughters, 62 percent of assaults, 58 percent of murders/attempted murders, 49 percent of robberies,and 46 percent of burglaries. Among police convicts, 45.2 percent of those convicted ofrape reported being under the influence of alcohol or alcohol and other drugs at the time of the offense. Over 61 percent of men and 53 percent of women arrested for property crimes (burglary, larceny, robbery) at Kang’ang’a Police Station who were voluntarily tested, tested positive for illicit drug use. At Cheptais District Officer’s Office, 67 percent of all reported child abuse and neglect cases were associated with parental alcohol and other drug abuse. However, in most cases it seems that drug use does not generally lead to violent behaviors. For the teenagers who use drugs, they are likely to participate in violent behavior often and they are likely to continue participating in violent activities much longer as compared to the violent teenagers who do not take drugs. This research targeted participants who were economically disadvantaged youth between the 16 and 35 years from households with family incomes below a dollar (poverty line). These findings may not be conclusive given the cyclical nature of research. Some other researchers can also carryout the same investigation before generalizing these conclusions. Comprehensive strategy involving specific programs to bring about an overall reduction in use of drugs has be evolved by the various government agencies and NGOs to further supplement   the   measures   like   education,   counseling,   treatment   and   rehabilitation programs. Kenya should enter into bilateral agreements on drug trafficking with other countries. The spread and entrenchment of drug abuse needs to be prevented, as the cost to the people, environment and economy will be colossal. The unseemly spectacle of unkempt drug abusers dotting lanes and by lanes, cinema halls and other public places should be enough to goad the authorities to act fast to remove the scourge of this social evil.   Moreover,   the   spread   of   such   reprehensible   habits   among   the   relatively   young segment of society ought to be arrested at all cost. There is a need for the government enforcement   agencies,   the   non-governmental   philanthropic   agencies,   and   others   to collaborate and supplement each other's efforts for a solution to the problem of drug addiction through education and legal actions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

Acronyms and Abbreviations

CHAPTER 1:    

Introduction

Background

Statement of the Problem

General Objectives

Specific Objectives

Research Questions

Hypothesis/Assumptions

Significance of the Study

Significance of the Study

Definition of Operationalized Terms

CHAPTER   2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Introduction

CHAPTER   3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction

Research Design

Qualitative Research

Area of Study

The study Population

Sample Size

Sampling Procedure

Methods and Instruments for Data Collection

Introduction

Documentary Review

Questionnaire

Interview Guide

Observation Guide

Focus Group Discussion

Data Quality Control

Data Analysis Techniques

Ethical Consideration

CHAPTER 4:  PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

Introduction

Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

Drugs Mostly Abused  and Reasons and Root Causes  for Drug Abuse

Trends in Prevalence of various Drugs for Youth 

Root Causes and Reasons for Drug Abuse 

Youth Violent Behavior, illicit drugs and sociodemographic characteristics

The Effects of Illicit Drug Abuse on Youth and Residents of  Mount Elgon

Program That Exists Towards Drug Abuse Control and Prevention Measures

Respondents` Recommendations on Control and Prevention    Measures

Identified Commissions and Omissions made by the Government, Political Leaders, Teachers and Parents

Efforts Geared Towards Combating Drug Abuse

CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

5.0 

Introduction

Summary

Conclusion

Limitations of the Study

Recommendations

More Police to Deal with Violence Created by Drug Abuse

Parents, Family, Teachers Role in Curbing Youth Violence

Recommendation for Policy Action and Further Research …………………..55REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………….57