This study assessed practices, methods and perceptions of solid waste management (SWM) in selected townships in Lusaka Zambia. The aim was to establish effectiveness of SWM in order to have a basis for advocating for measures to address issues related to improved solid waste management. Specifically, the research aimed to determine the socio-demographic and economic profiles of people, methods and practices of solid waste disposal and to obtain people's perception on solid waste management. The study targeted 120 respondents purposely selected from low, medium and high-density townships of Misisi, Kabwata and Ibex Hills in Lusaka, Zambia. The study collected data by use of a self-administered questionnaire through random sampling and was analysed through SPSS version 23. The findings of this study revealed that solid waste management was a challenge in Lusaka, Zambia. The majority of respondents (37.5%) stated that they generated all kinds of waste from their households and 51.6% stated that they had never heard of appropriate solid waste management. Of those that emptied waste in public waste bins, 35% stated that they walked 5-10 minutes to access public waste bins, 19.2% stated that public bins, which emptied weekly, were small and ever full. Fifty-two (52%) percent of respondents stated that there was a problem with solid waste disposal and 56.7% stated that solid waste disposal contributed to diseases in their area. This study concluded that there were challenges of solid waste management in terms of practices and methods in selected areas of Lusaka, Zambia.

Substance Abuse is not a new phenomenon worldwide but experts believe that the rate at which college students are abusing drugs is so alarming to an extent that it (Substance Abuse) is now one of the major global public health concerns. The National Survey (2010), reported that more of today's college students are abusing prescription drugs than was the case in the early 1990s and that the number of students involved in the daily use of marijuana doubled to more than 4 percent. Literature review revealed that not only is there an increase of Substance Abuse among college students but also an increase of adverse effects due to binge drinking. It also revealed that higher levels of education i.e. diploma or higher was associated with greater levels of drug abuse. However, despite these concerns, very few studies have in-depth analyzed, let alone prescribe the measures of addressing the problem. A number of studies conducted in the United States of America (U.S.) have indicated that SA is becoming a serious public health problem nationwide as well as globally. However, not much has been done to address this problem. The main objective of this study was to establish the extent of the problem of Substance Abuse in order to have a basis of prescribing measures to address the issue among college students. The study brought to light the extent and effects of Substance Abuse and as such, will benefit not only college authorities and students but parents and policymakers in order to come up with mitigation strategies.

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