Thesis (MEd(Education Management and Policy Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER IN EDUCATION in the Department of Educational Psychology of the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2009. / The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of substance abuse amongst secondary school learners. This was achieved via a literature study and an empirical study. In the light of the findings certain recommendations which can assist educators, principals, parents and the Department of Education to plan and take action in order to combat drug abuse and addition amongst secondary school learners, were formulated. Schools have always had and will always have significant influence on learner’s lives and must therefore be the focus of any effective implementation of arresting strategies. The secondary school community has in the past and to a certain extend in the present not treated the increasing use of drugs as a priority. This could possibly be because of the many types of legitimate drugs that are available, and which are said to cure, prevent or slow down diseases and enable people to lead longer, healthier and happier lives. Antibiotics have improved the treatment of infections and vaccines have prevented the spread of diseases such as measles, while analgesics have lessened or eliminated pain. However, it should be the harmful and illegal drugs that parents and the community should be made aware of. Illegal and harmful drugs infiltrate all levels of society, asking no name, title or gender. They come in many names and forms and they will negatively impact on health, sanity, families and finally people’s lives. The literature study found that that substance abuse affected the physical, psychological (cognitive and affective), social and normative development of the secondary school learner. For the purpose of the empirical investigation, a self-structured questionnaire for educators was utilized. The data obtained from the completed questionnaires was processed and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. The findings confirmed that substance abuse has a negative effect on the development of the secondary school learner. The following are some of the recommendations that were made: • The Department of Education must develop a practical formal policy on the use of drugs in school in collaboration with Sanca, the National Department of Health, the Police Service and other relevant stakeholders. • Sufficient human and financial resources must be made available by the Department of Education for the Training, supervision and monitoring of the drug policy in all school. • The Department of Education in collaboration with teacher unions, principal forums, school management teams, education organization and Sanca must conduct workshops for the educators in which the following aspects, concerning drugs abuse will receive attention:  Reasons why learners use drugs.  How to identify learner drug abusers.  Procedures to follow when a learner is suspected of being a drug user.