Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
This descriptive study explored the experiences of teenagers using illicit substances in a special needs school in order to develop strategies to decrease the usage of these substances in schools. Working from an eco-systemic and psychosocial developmental framework, the study considered factors contributing to misuse of substances, such as alcohol and marijuana, among learners with severe learning problems. The school based support team, comprising of the school counsellors, an educational psychologist, a social worker and senior management of educators, noted a disturbing increase in substance abuse which had led many teenagers to attempted suicide, dropping out of school, failing grades, social and personal difficulties.
The study used a qualitative approach with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Semi-structured interviews with two males and one female and a historicity questionnaire were used as data collection methods. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed to determine themes. Ethical considerations were meticulously and carefully attended to as this study was conducted with special needs minors abusing illicit substances in school.
Findings revealed that the teenagers experienced both injurious physical and harmful psychological symptoms, including suicidal ideation, friendship isolation and deleterious effects on learning, concentration and schoolwork. Although their parents attempted to help, deeper involvement and more structured guidance was sought in understanding the dangers of substance abuse. Once the substance abuse had been reported, the parents took the teenagers to the South African National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependency. Even though the teenagers were counselled regarding drug abuse their commitment to the behaviour modification programme was sporadic as their intellectual disability limited their long term view of consequences. The teenagers revealed that educators played a key role in supporting them and their families to understand the issues around the substance abuse...