ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY’S PERSPECTIVES ON THE ROLE AND CHALLENGES OF COUNSELLORS IN SCHOOL-BASED DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

This research explores the role of school counsellors in drug abuse prevention at the elementary school level in Malaysia, examining their contributions, challenges, and the effectiveness of their involvement in school-based initiatives. The qualitative research gathered insights from 16 participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, and the analysis followed a grounded theory approach, allowing themes to emerge naturally from the responses. The findings indicate that counsellors are central to drug abuse prevention efforts, providing counselling services, conducting drug screenings and mental health assessments, and offering educational outreach to students, parents, and staff. However, challenges such as limited experience with drug abuse cases in elementary schools, inadequate resources, and heavy workloads were identified. Moreover, disparities in counsellor qualifications, especially in rural areas, and external pressures from communities often hinder counsellors' effectiveness. The research underscores the need for enhanced counsellor training, better resource allocation, and increased community support to improve the quality of drug abuse prevention programs in schools. These findings’ implications suggest that school counsellors require greater institutional support to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Future research could focus on evaluating the impact of specialized training for counsellors, as well as exploring the role of community involvement and parental engagement in strengthening drug abuse prevention strategies at the elementary level. Enhancing these efforts may lead to more comprehensive and effective drug abuse prevention at an early stage.