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    THE CONTRIBUTION OF LOCAL COUNCILS IN FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE IN NAMABAYA, SUB-COUNTY, NAMISINDWA DISTRICT
    (2024-10-08) BWAYO H_ BPAM_2024.pdf
    Drug abuse is one of the wide spread problem of modern time with substances consumed clandestinely. However, no attention by both policy and academia has been given to the unlimited effort by local councils in the fight against this vice. The aim of this study is to determine the contribution of local councils in fighting drug abuse in Namabya sub County, Namisindwa district. Specifically, the study assessed how local councils undertake law enforcement to fight drug abuse and also examined how local councils build family bonds to fight drug abuse in Namabya Sub County, Namisindwa district. The study also investigated how local councils reach youths out of school to fight drug abuse in Namabya sub County, Namisindwa district. The study used cross-sectional design to analyze data from the study area with the help of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The researcher collected data from 80 respondents in the study area who were selected using simple random and purpose sampling and questionnaires together with interview guide were used to collect data. The study found Local councils together with other law enforcement agencies undertake community policing to fight drug abuse and are instrumental in identifying problem-oriented policing that help prevent drug abuse. Also, many locals are fighting drug abuse through reducing drug availability and they provide alternatives to incarceration of drug addicts. It was also found that By-laws are passed by local council in an effort to fight drug abuse and Local councils together with other law enforcement agencies undertake community policing to fight drug abuse. Additionally, study findings revealed that local councils work with parents who are powerful influences in the lives of their children. Substance abuse prevention programs have traditionally been part of family efforts, but a new trend is toward local council family-based prevention programs are in place and family programs supported by local councils employ a variety of tools, including homework assignments, brochures, home study guides, workshops, and audio and videocassettes. Also many local councils have mobilized grassroots groups to respond to local illegal drug and alcohol problems and these local councils are serving as valuable partners for law enforcement agencies and local councils approach to family in-home support provides crisis intervention (such as food, shelter, and clothing) and long-range training that addresses the root causes of the drugs and substance abuses. Further, the study also found that many local councils are implementing after-school programs that include substance abuse prevention and they have taken an active role in developing after-school programs to keep youths out of trouble. Creating a safe place for youths to gather afterschool by local authorities can help protect them from risk factors in the community, in peer groups, or at home and mentoring is an increasingly popular prevention/ intervention strategy by local councils that help youths deal with the risks they face in their daily lives. The researcher recommended strengthening the capacity of local council in fighting drug and substance abuse, increasing funding of these programmes in lower administrative units and also mobilizing communities and stakeholders to step forward in support of local council’s fight against drug abuse.