Drug Abuse and the Culture of Learning
Loading...
Date
2003
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study encompasses the phenomenon of drug abuse in the context of learning and teaching. The researcher endeavoured to explore certain aspects of this phenomenon in this particular context in view of a growing concern about the apparent demise of a culture of learning in our schools and related learning environments, and the threatening consequences thereof on a much wider front than might generally be realized. Due to the interwovenness and mutual playing field of learning and teaching, such threat will inevitably not only adverse affect learning, but teaching as well.
The literature study revealed factors which are possibly as known in some circles but it is unknown or ignored in other, causing the potentially disastrous consequences of the latter to be underestimated while aggravating the threat to a vulnerable terrain such as the learning environment in its different school related manifestations.
Due to the magnitude of the phenomenon of drug abuse, and consequently its impact on learning and teaching, this study had to be demarcated to some causes and effects of drug abuse on learning and teaching. The study concentrated on what the researcher termed an interplay between these factors, that might impact drug abuse, something that appears to be at the root of the perceived uneasiness and even despondency in education circles as regards the apparent fading of a culture of learning in the learning environment.
An empirical investigation of this natuie, being regionally locusci only, is obviously limited in its outcome. Although conclusive, generally representative inferences could not be drawn, it indicated without doubt that the culture of learning and teaching in the learning environment has been dented and is in fact under siege by drug abuse.
Certain recommendations such as the following were made and motivated:
> Ignorance as regards drug abuse and its effects on the learning environment should be combated by providing the necessary infrastructure, particularly in the rural areas. Determining needs, purposeful action and the monitoring thereof should carry the main focus.
> Prevention, intervention and rehabilitation are to be given much more prominence, inter alia by ensuring and expertly monitoring prevention, intervention and rehabilitation programmes for the victims and potential victims of drug abuse in the learning environment.
> Further research which should include, inter alia^ and in particular, drug trafficking, especially as regards access into the organized learning environment, viz. the school.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirements of the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2003.
Keywords
Drug-abuse-study and teaching, Drug Abuse -- Culture of Learning