Mitigating Substance Abuse amongst Students at a University in Chongwe, Lusaka Province

The purpose of the study was to investigate ways to mitigate substance abuse amongst students at a University in Chongwe, Lusaka province. The study was guided by three objectives being: to establish types of substance most abused by students at a university, to determine the sources of substances which is abused by the students at a university and to assess ways to curb substance abuse through artificial intelligence development at a university. The study employed a descriptive research design on the population of students and officers from the dean of student’s affairs. 55 students took part in the study with 5 officers from the dean of student’s affairs bringing the total sample to 6 participants. An online google survey questionnaire was sent to students’ WhatsApp groups and 55 complete results were received while the officers from the dean of student’s affairs were interviewed. Data was analysed thematically through identifying similar themes and comparing them to others. The research has identified the prevalent substances abused by students at a University, with alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana (dagga), insunko, Benlyn, and shisha being the most commonly abused. The study also underscores that these substances are more accessible and accepted, especially alcohol and insunko, which can be attributed to their availability in the surrounding areas and being cheap. The emotional and psychological effects experienced by substance-abusing students, such as happiness, excitement, peaceful sleep, boosted confidence, and confusion, were highlighted. These experiences often serve as temporary escapes from academic and personal pressures and are exacerbated by factors like peer pressure, improper parental upbringing, and the influence of friends. The study also revealed some gender-based disparities in substance abuse, with more women abusing ‘insunko’ and more men abusing dagga, while alcohol was commonly consumed by both genders. The study recommended the establishment of a counselling centre, regular engagement on anti substance abuse awareness, and the provision of diverse extra-curricular activities to keep students occupied. It was also recommended that improvements to the OWNU application to attach personal assistance chatbot that can be assisting those that are addicted to go for rehabilitation with prompt messages.