The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

The need to be associated to a peer group seemed to be linked to lack of adequate parental love and
guidance, and the expressed desire of young people to feel loved and gain a sense of security, image
and identity.
“When they go home, parents curse them. This friend would buy a soda when they meet
them on the street and carry a joint to. They go want to be with that friend. …and your
friends showing you more love and you sitting down with them chilling and smoking and
you feeling good.” [males and females, 14-19, in and out of school].
The above further strengthens the significance and impact of peers to young people and the possible
inherent need to feel accepted.
To experiment
Participants in six focus group discussions described that children were at a stage where they
experimented quite a bit and therefore drug use was a result of experimentation. They also mentioned
the curiosity that developed among children after observing the actions of adults and experiences of
peers with drugs.
“So the only thing that go through your head is to see what really important about this
thing that they want me to do it.” [females, 14-16 in school]
For fun and enjoyment
Six focus groups indicated that young persons used drugs for fun and a feeling of exuberance. It was
indicated that alcohol was specifically used mostly during festive times and times of celebration – at
parties, street fetes, Christmas, carnival, Old Year’s night, even last day of school. Alcohol was also
consumed to put one in a social mood that one might dance and revel at parties.
“It come like I never enjoy meself if I don’t drink rum. When you drink rum and thing and
you get the feeling, I feel like I could do anything. I drink to get nice. To get a vibes. Like
me and my friends out the street liming and we just decide that we will take a little drink
and thing and just relax ourself, just mellow.” [males, 14-19, out of school]
To study
It was reported by some male and female participants of six focus groups that marijuana improved
concentration and one’s learning ability, and thereby improved memory and academic performance.
This perception by young persons made it easier for many at the school level to consume or utilize
marijuana.
“I hear people say they use drugs if they have to study because it helps them to
concentrate better. More the young boys, those who go to school, secondary, primary, all
schools, college, all schools, teenage boys. Some of them use it to study and thing to
meditate so that they can remember their work and thing.” [females, 14-19, in and out of
school]
Lack of parental love
Five focus groups cited lack of parental love as a cause for youth consuming drugs. Incidentally, four
of those groups were out of school males and females between 14-24 years. Participants reported that
parents verbally abused their children and did not show them adequate love and care. This affected
their self-esteem and they were therefore prone to engage in negative behavior and rebellion.
“The reason why some of us use drugs is because of not enough love, because they
(parents) don’t tell you they love us, they only tell us bad thing. Move dere you ugly self’.
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