Drug abuse by learners in South Africa: a replication and extension study

Abstract

This study sought to determine the nature, extent and causes of drug abuse in South African township schools. Interview data were collected from a convenience sample of 24 participants from 4 schools (10 learners, 8 school personnel and 4 School Governing Board (SGB) members, a social worker and one Department of Education (DoE) official responsible for handling drug abuse by learners in the district. Document analysis was also conducted using the social worker’s records. The study found that dagga, tobacco and alcohol were the most readily available, commonly used and abused drugs by learners in these schools. The study also found that learners tended to use cocktails of drug combinations.