ABSATRCT

Drugs are known to have harmful effects yet young people still use them. The study sought to find out the psychological risk factors associated with drug abuse among Ugandan Youths in Kampala Makindye Division with Kabalagala Parish as a case study. The study was guided by the research objectives and these included; to find out the causes of drug abuse among the youth in Makindye division in Uganda, to establish the activities associated with drug abuse among the youth in Makindye division in Uganda and to assess the psychological risk factors associated with drug abuse among youth in Makindye division in Uganda Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in the study. Qualitative data was collected from the key informants who were guidance community leaders and law enforcement officers from Kabalagala Parish through interviews. Quantitative data was gathered from youths and other stakeholders using questionnaire. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic method whereby the data collected from key informants was grouped under emerging the mesas per the research objectives. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistic frequencies and percentages. Quantitative data was presented in form of tables and figures. The study revealed that the most commonly used drugs include alcohol, cigarettes, bhang and miraa. These drugs are readily available and are also affordable to the youths. The drugs were also found to be popular among the larger Ugandan Population .The drugs used by the youths are obtained from the fellow youths, schools, social gatherings, bars, sellers around the community and the black market. The study also found out that personal and social factors contribute to drugs and substance use .. Drugs like cocaine and heroin were only used by the youths coming from rich families. The study makes a number of recommendations: There should be increased public awareness campaigns to bring out dangers of drugs by involving the media, civic education and administration. Parents should take a more active role in the upbringing of their children. A clear drugs policy in schools and training teachers on how to address the problem of drug use is also recommended. The study also calls upon the society to re-evaluate its morals with regard to how it treats drug users and drug lords. The study also calls for further in-depth research into how the identified factors lead to use of drugs among students.