The increasing number of alcohol and tobacco usage among students has reached arming heights urging the government to take action. Children as young as 11 started experimenting with alcohol consumption and smoking, which started out through peer pressure in schools. Despite the growing numbers, the government seems lax in having the issue resolved.
One of the greatest influences in trying out vices (drug and substance abuse) is through peer pressure, which reached an alarming 62 percent, New Vision reported. It is then followed by the school's lax government, as they lack strict rules and regulations by 14 percent, their family by 13 percent and lack or poor security within the school area by 11 percent. Through the gathered statistics, it was revealed that one of the dominant common factors is the school's influence which is said to be lax and minimal in terms of imposing strict rules and governance.
The study was done by Confidence Asiimwe and Dr. Leon Matagi, which was assisted by NDA. Through the statistics that was gathered, it was revealed that around 5.5 million students under the age of 25 have tried experimenting with drugs and addictive substances.
The Guardian then added that one of the factors to be called out is the laxed system when it comes to working on public health crisis. It was highlighted that the two factors of the biggest factors (aside from obesity which is top of the list) in leading to diseases and death risks are tobacco smoking and alcohol.
Though the call to implement strict procedures in terms of prohibiting abusive substances on school grounds is still in the works, Asiimwe revealed the consequence of the substance abuse. With the statistics being revealed, they're striving to be heard as the numbers of the negative impact brought upon by alcohol and cigarette consumption increased.
"From the survey we found out that most effects are diseases (46%), brain damage (30%) school dropouts (29%), decline in academic performance (27%) and a high level of indiscipline (18%)," Asiimwe, who is the co-author of the research stated. "Most students are not aware that too much alcohol can lead to decline in academic performance, high levels of indiscipline, and immoral acts in schools (17%) and can also lead to death."
