Drug and Substance Use Among Tertiary Students – The Case of Copper-belt University

Royda Chibulu Kampamba; Pamela Kayula Mutale

doi:10.63363/aijfr.2026.v07i03.6438

Drug and Substance Use Among Tertiary Students – The Case of Copper-belt University

Author(s)	Dr. Royda Chibulu Kampamba, Ms. Pamela Kayula Mutale
Country	Zambia
Abstract	The study investigated students’ knowledge of substance abuse, the ability to prevent, sustain a drug free University Campus, and treatment of addiction. Substance dependence can lead to lifelong conditions that negatively influence learning and daily functioning. The study employed case study research which is qualitative method. Cultural-Historical-Activity Theory (CHAT) or Activity Theory (AT) framework was employed in this study as a lens to explain the findings. Focus-group interviews and open-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from students. The students were selected from first-year to post-graduate. Twenty-seven students participated in research of which six were female. The sample size was small because the institution was on recess. Data was analysed thematically. The findings revealed that both female and male students are involved in drug and alcohol abuse. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that there are more male than female students that are involved. Marijuana, condign (cough syrup and sprite) and alcohol are most consumed substances. Academic stress, poor performance, limited recreation facilities, prescribed medications by health personnel when taken for a long time, peer-pressure and ignorance of availability of counselling centre are drivers of substance abuse. Students depict anti-social, violent behavior, vulgar language, academic failures and cognitive deficits compared with their peers. Hence, students proposed that collective efforts to ameliorate campus substance abuse should be heightened. Collective efforts such as student driven sensitization which is peer education, enact experts in mental well-being and drug enforcement chairs. Finally, central administration should reinforce the rule concerning drugs and alcohol consumption by students inside and outside the campus. They should spearhead seminars on management of academic failure and stress. Also, administrators should control alcohol and drug entry points.
Keywords	Substance abuse, Disorders, Addiction, Prevention, Drivers
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-20
DOI	https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2026.v07i03.6438

View / Download PDF File

E-ISSN 3048-7641

doi

CrossRef DOI is assigned to each research paper published in our journal.

AIJFR DOI prefix is
10.63363/aijfr

Downloads

Research Paper Format Copyright Permission Form and Undertaking Form Cover Page Vol 7 Isu 4 Cover Page Vol 7 Isu 3 Cover Page Vol 7 Isu 2

All research papers published on this website are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, and all rights belong to their respective authors/researchers.

CC-BY-SA

About AIJFR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9898-79-39-59	editor@aijfr.com

Advanced International Journal for Research

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Drug and Substance Use Among Tertiary Students – The Case of Copper-belt University

Share this