Abstract:
Substance abuse is a global public health problem with physical, social, psychological,
economic, and health implications. In today's world, substance abuse is a very serious issue that
is destroying the lives of millions of people in both the teenage and general public. Especially
adolescent and youths are very vulnerable by this problem. The general Objective of this study is
to assess risk factors and negative impacts of substance abuse among adolescents and youths of
Ejaji town Ilu Galan Woreda, West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study was community
based Descriptive study design and used mixed research approach that is used both quantitative
and qualitative research approach. From the different variety of sampling techniques, the
researcher was employed non-probability sampling technique. Under this purposive and
snowball technique was used. Thus, Sample sizes for this study were 138.Data was collected by
using Questionnaire, in depth interview method, and focus group discussion method. Quantitative
data were analyzed using SPSS by using Descriptive statistics to examine the frequency and
percentage and qualitative data were employed thematic analysis to extract meanings out of the
texts manually. The findings of this research stated that Major types of substance/s abused by
adolescents and youths in Ejaji town are: khat, alcohol, Cigarette, shisha. Another findings of
this study was risk factors that influence adolescents and youths of Ejaji town are: Out of
curiosity, Peer pressure, Frustrations and stress at home, , mass media, Increased availability of
Substance/s at everywhere, Poor parent child relationship, Poor parental control, absence of
drug police, mass/ social media and advertisement, family substance/s use.. Other findings of
this study were negative Impacts of substance abuse related to psychological, social,
work/performance, health/physical, economical/legal problems. Thus based on the results
recommendations were given to the concerned body such as Ejaji town health office, women and
children office, court house, youth and sport office, GO, and NGO, community leaders need to
work by collaboration with each other to alleviate Ejaji town adolescents and youths substance
abuse.
