Title: Stronger Together: How Community Engagement Prevents Youth Involvement in Drug Abuse in Iringa Municipality
Authors: Stella Mosha Claude, Given Msomba, Agness Nzali
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 163-182
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
Youth drug abuse has emerged as one of the most pressing social challenges in many Tanzanian communities, threatening not only the health and well-being of young people but also the social and economic stability of families and neighborhoods. This study explored the role and effectiveness of community-based initiatives in preventing drug abuse among youths in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. Employing a qualitative approach, data was collected from 76 participants across the Ruaha, Kitanzini, and Ilala wards through interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicate that while awareness programs were the most prevalent intervention, their impact was often limited by a reliance on top-down, fear-based messaging that failed to resonate with youths' socio-economic realities. Initiatives involving peer support, mentorship, and recreational activities showed greater promise in building resilience but were severely constrained by fragmented implementation and a pervasive lack of sustainable resources. A critical barrier identified was the weak coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, leading to duplicated efforts, isolated interventions, and an inability to form a cohesive prevention strategy. The study concludes that the potential of community-based action remains substantially untapped due to systemic challenges in funding, strategic coordination, and youth participatory engagement. To enhance impact, the study recommends institutionalizing multi-stakeholder coordination frameworks, shifting towards long-term, flexible funding models, and embedding youth-led, participatory approaches into the design and execution of all prevention initiatives.