Substance abuse by women in Pungu and its implications for their socio-economic lives.

Abstract

This research set out to investigate substance abuse by women in Pungu in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of Ghana and its implications on their socio-economic lives. The study used the qualitative research approach and phenomenological design. The snowball sampling technique was used to collect data from twenty-two (22) respondents. The data collection tools were the interview guide, observation and focus group discussions. The data was then analysed thematically. The study findings indicated that poverty, lack of social support, the availability of prohibited substances were the main causes of substance abuse. The findings further revealed that the usage of substances had severe impacts on women’s income-generating activities and household responsibilities. The study also revealed that the respondents had very little knowledge of services that they could access to help them stop their addiction. The study recommended for the strengthening and enforcement of legislations on the sale and use of substances that impinged on the social and economic lives of people. At the community level, the study recommended that traditional rulers should explore opportunities such as annual festivals and radio programmes to campaign against substance abuse whilst using taboos to sanction people who promote the use of banned substances in their communities.