Dr.Alemayehu, Biruh(MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry )Prof.Teferra, Solomon(MD, PhD, Addiction Psychiatrist )Eshetu, Wudasie2022-04-062023-11-052022-04-062023-11-052022-01http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/31181Background Substance abuse is a patterned, harmful and hazardous use of psychoactive substance (drug) including alcohol and illicit drugs in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to them or others. Globally, drugs and substance abuse continue to bechallenge, especially among the youth in school and out of school. It negatively impacts the academic, social, psychological and physical development among the abusers. Schools may will be able to influence drug use behavior and the primary role of the school is to teach skills, to impartknowledge and establish a sound value base in relation to health and drug use. Objectives The objective of this study is to explore the perspective of teachers on substance abuse among TikurAnbessa secondary school students. Method A qualitative research design was used. Target population of this study were teachers in Tikur Anbessa Secondary school. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling technique. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved and twelve in depth interviews weredone. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed in Amharic and translated into English. Tdata were coded using Open code software 4.03. Thematic analysis was used to identify key theme Results This study showed teachers had good understanding about adolescent substance use. The study identified respondents had knowledge on the possible factors that led to substance use. All of the teachers mentioned the possible consequences of drug use on the student’s life. The teachers mentioned themselves as responsible on mitigation of drug besides other responsible bodies like families, other school community, neighbors, governmental and non-governmental bodies and religious institutions; they also said prevention of drug use is everyone’s responsibility, but still some teachers mentioned having knowledge gap on drugs. Recommendation Schools are the best places to teach students about the harms associated with substance misuse. If the Ethiopian Ministry of Education applies organized school-based prevention programs, it will prevent harm associated with using substance. It is recommended this school-based prevention program includes providing adequate training to teachers, integration into curriculum, involvement of parents and collaboration with other stakeholders. Regulating school environment and its surroundings is also recommended to limit access to substances. Punitive measures such as expulsion of students who are found using substances from school shoulbe done in a less psychologically traumatic way.en-USSubstance Abuse,High School Students,TeachersThesis