Drug and Substance Abuse in Slums and Schools

Drug abuse has become a significant public health issue globally, affecting individuals, families, and communities. The 2021 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report estimates that 275 million individuals worldwide suffer from illegal drug and alcohol usage, a 21.7 % increase from 2010.
The same report notes that illicit drug use contributes to 5.3% of global mortality and 5.1% of global morbidity. It is projected that 450,000 persons died in 2015 from drug-related causes; drug use disorders directly contributed to 37.3% of these fatalities. UNODC estimates that by 2030, there will be 11% more persons using illicit drugs globally and 40% more in Sub-Saharan Africa due to the region’s rapidly expanding and youthful population.

Drug abuse presents a complex challenge that affects millions worldwide. From individuals battling with substance use disorders to communities dealing with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime, the impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex. According to the 2022 annual Uganda Police crime report, cases of narcotics/drug abuse in the country increased from 1,714 in 2020 to 2,797 in 2022.

This problem is particularly prevalent among the youth, posing severe risks to their physical and mental health (World Health Organization, 2021). In Uganda, the prevalence of drug abuse among youth stands at 70.1%, significantly higher than the East African average of 45.5%. Alarmingly, drug and substance abuse among university students is also on the rise, with rates of 6.8% among first-year students and 7.7% among continuing students. The 2018 World Bank report indicated that per capita alcohol consumption in Uganda was 15.1 liters among persons aged 15 years and above.

A 2020 study by the Makerere University School of Public Health in Kampala found that drug use is particularly prevalent among young people living in city outskirts and slums such as Kisenyi, Kamwokya, Katwe, and Nansana. Commonly abused substances in these areas include heroin, cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, aviation fuel, kuber, and khat. The study also revealed that individuals aged 15–24 are the most frequent drug users, with males abusing drugs at twice the rate of their female counterparts.

The Uganda police recorded more than 85,000 juvenile crimes related to alcohol and substance abuse between 2010 and 2014. The 2018 police report also indicated more than 50% of young people detained in Kampiringisa Juvenile Detention facility were accused of committing crime due to alcohol and substance abuse, with 29% linked to psychoactive substance abuse. In January 2019 alone, police in Kampala recorded over 1,000 drug-related offences, primarily involving teenagers and youth aged 13–24 years. According to the 2022 Uganda Police report, drug abuse remains a major driver of crime, with cases of assault often linked to drug and substance abuse.

Studies have consistently shown that drug and substance abuse is a key contributor to mental health challenges, suicidal tendencies, poor academic performance, violence and strikes in schools and universities, teenage pregnancies, HIV infections, and increased crime rates.

At Remote Health, we have designed outreach programs to address these issues comprehensively, aiming to minimize the resultant health emergencies caused by this public crisis on an already overburden healthcare system. Our programs are targeting slums, schools, university and armed forces, ensuring we reach those most vulnerable to the devastating effects of drug abuse.