ABSTRACT

This research set out to assess the extent to which alcohol abuse and consumption has affected learner's academic performance. It utilized the following objectives to guide the study: To assess the magnitude of the problem of alcohol abuse and consumption in primary schools of Kaiti division. To investigate the causes of alcohol abuse in primary schools; To assess the effects of alcohol abuse on the individual children; To investigate the challenges which learners face as a result of alcohol and drug abuse. From the findings, it was established that the causes of alcohol consumption and abuse were that it was ready available to the population since it was established that local brewing was ?ne of the economic activities. It was also established from the teachers, there is 9/cohol abuse among children because of the influence by their peers as ,uggested by forty teachers. Also children consume alcohol because they 'Jbserve their parents abusing it and then copy as contributed by thirty six :eachers. The psychosocial effects of alcohol abuse that were established by the :eachers aggression, guilt and shame, anger, short temper, low self esteem, ;exuality problems, isolation and introversion. All these were suggested by ·esearchers such as Mbweli, 2007, Berger, 1993, Cobbs, 1997 and Silverstein. r/Je findings about this objectives indicated that according to teachers children 1ffected by alcohol suffer consequences such as poor performance in classroom 1ctivities. Recommendation were also made. Guidance and counseling services 1eed to be intensified to help the children already affected by alcohol cope with heir circumstances, and also to reorganize their shattered lives. I/so the government should sensitize the society about the dangers of alcohol If ,ossib/e a policy on mode of consumption of alcohol be passed to help regulate he way people take the substance. Those found drunk must be persecuted in IJe court of laws. This could make the people drink carefully.