Analysis of Social Factors that Lead to Alcohol and Marijuana Dependence

This study focused on the analysis of social factors that lead to alcohol and marijuana dependence among secondary school youth. Specifically, the study aims at finding out risk factors that lead to alcohol and marijuana dependence among the youths, effects of alcohol and marijuana dependency among the youths, their family, education, community and the nation and establish age and gender that youth commonly use alcohol and marijuana. In order to meet the objectives of the study 68 respondents were randomly and purposively selected from six secondary schools within Blantyre city. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used, but qualitative research method was predominantly used through key informant interviews, focus group discussion and official documents. The study noted that there is a problem of alcohol and marijuana dependence among secondary school youth. The prevalence of the problem is high in both public and private boarding secondary schools than day secondary schools. The challenges facing youths from all socio-economic background as they grow up in the twenty-first century are greater than ever.