Influence of school environment related factors on drug and substance abuse among secondary school students in Kisumu town east, Kenya

Current evidence reveals a continuing upward trend in substance abuse worldwide (World Drug Report, 2004). The report by WHO (2004) estimates that 1.1 thousands million people, representing a third of the world population above the age of 15 years, use tobacco principally in the form of the manufactured cigarette. Out of these smokers, 800 million live in developing countries, of which 700 million are male. Smoking is therefore a major habit in developing countries. In fact, the same report shows that tobacco causes 4 million deaths annually, besides prenatal morbidity and mortality. The main objective of this study was to assess school environment related factors that influence drug and substance abuse among secondary school students in Kisumu Town East, Kenya The findings of the study would be used to guide policy in the control and prevention of drug abuse in secondary schools.