The Role of Pastoral Care Programs in Mitigating Drug and Substance Abuse Among the Youth of PCEA Nanyuki Presbytery, Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

This study explores the role of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Nanyuki Presbytery in addressing drug and substance abuse among youth in Laikipia County, Kenya. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research involved youth, church leaders, and parents to assess the effectiveness of four key interventions: conscientization (raising awareness), pastoral care (spiritual and emotional support), advocacy (policy development), and rehabilitation (support for recovery). The findings indicate that the church's efforts in conscientization were effective in raising awareness, especially through drug education and motivational examples. However, there was limited integration of technology in these programs. Pastoral care was particularly strong in offering spiritual support and life skills training but lacked specialized addiction-focused interventions. Advocacy initiatives successfully influenced policy but were less effective in engaging the community through public forums. Rehabilitation efforts were the weakest, showing significant gaps in medical support and follow-up systems. Socio-cultural factors, such as family dynamics and peer pressure, were found to significantly impact the effectiveness of the interventions. The study recommends enhancing technological integration in education, providing specialized training for counselors, building cross-sector collaborations, and adapting interventions to be more culturally relevant.