Substance use under a restrictive and prohibitive policy regime in secondary schools in Uganda: The convergence of motives, contexts and student characteristics

Drug use among young people is increasing in Africa. To prevent drug use, it essential to understand the motivations, environments, and characteristics of users. Although there are established risk factors for little known about reasons why adolescents take drugs. This study investigated given by a sample secondary school pupils using drugs other substances, specifically, how circumvent restrictive prohibitive policy regime rationalize account use. used cross-sectional mixed-methods design. For quantitative data, descriptive regression analyses were run, qualitative thematic analysis was used. About 13 per cent (n=41) met criteria moderate severe Coping (Mean = 4.13, SD 0.89), social 3.71, 0.97), enhancement 3.09, 0.92) motives highly endorsed as The extent which predicted ranged from β 0.55 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.72) coping 0.18 0.08, 0.28) expansion motives. Students employed ingenious frequently risky ways rigorous regulatory regimes governing schools. Academic stress, limited recreational activities, poor stress management, peer influence, adult supervision dysfunctional family backgrounds, all interrelate complex with motives, contexts, student create conducive environment rationalisation, medicalisation, veneration Further research on that shape needed.