Effectiveness of Counseling and Non-Counseling Interventions in Preventing Alcohol and Marijuana Abuse Among High School Students in Kiambu

Alcohol and marijuana use remains a major concern for parents, teachers, health professionals, law enforcement and policy makers. Schools provide viable settings where interventions can be used to curb the use of alcohol and marijuana. The study sought to assess the effectiveness of counseling and non-counseling interventions used in preventing alcohol and marijuana abuse among high school students in Kiambu County. The objectives were: Identifying the counseling and non-counseling interventions used to prevent alcohol and marijuana abuse among high school students; Investigate the effectiveness of counseling and non-counseling interventions used to prevent marijuana and alcohol abuse among high school students; Determine how non-counseling interventions contribute to the prevention of marijuana and alcohol abuse in high school; and Assess challenges faced in counseling and non-counseling interventions for the prevention of marijuana and alcohol abuse, among high school students. This study used a descriptive survey design.The total population comprised of County and Sub County high school students from Kiambu County. The list of school selection was done through stratified sampling method. Purposive sampling was employed to choose groups of respondents from which a sample size was drawn. Random sampling procedure was used to select a sample from the population. A sample of 276 respondents was sampled. The study used primary data that was collected from the students. The data was organized, coded, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) Quantitative data was analyzed be subjected to descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages. The study found that most 167 (65.49%) of the respondents indicated that peer counselling was used to prevent alcohol and marijuana abuse among high school students to a great extent. Moreover, 74 (29.02%) agreed that Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA) and Board of Management (BOM) were involved in tackling Alcohol and Marijuana abuse problems in the school thus contributing to the prevention of marijuana and alcohol abuse. The study found that lack of support from parents and teachers, were the main challenges faced in counseling and non-counseling interventions. Motivational interviewing and personal counselling were used to prevent alcohol and marijuana abuse among high school students to a great extent. The counselor’s respectful listening skill and nonjudgmental attitude help build a therapeutic alliance, which aids the client in feeling accepted and builds self-esteem, promoting positive change. Punitive approaches rely on the punishment devised so as to deter students from committing the offence. Local community had the ability to identify drug abusing students thus contributing to prevention of marijuana and alcohol abuse. All schools should set up guidance and counselling offices facilitated by professionals to counsel students who indulge in drug abuse. Principals also should invite specialists often to talk to students on dangers of drug abuse. There is need for head teachers to exert their position power in directing students’ efforts towards discipline and good academic performance. Guiding and counseling should be emphasized when enhancing student discipline by sensitizing the teachers and students on the importance of counseling.