Factors Influencing Drug Addiction among the Youth: Special Reference to Rehabilitation Centres and Counseling Centres Established under the National Dangerous Drug Control Board

Abstract

Drug addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and longlasting changes in the brain. Even though there is no evidence of ongoing illicit manufacture of drugs in Sri Lanka, the number of drug addicts that admit for treatment per year has been significantly increasing. Therefore, this study is established to find out the factors influencing drug addiction among the youth. The sample size for the study was 50 youths from the “Nawadiganthaya” rehabilitation centre and the “Siyapatha” counseling centre. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, were used for data analysis and SPSS, and Minitab and Excel were used for data presenting purposes. The results of principal component factor analysis identified five factors, family & social issues, deprivation, physical issues, companionship and social Isolation. According to the findings of the study, the only determined relationship with drug addiction, among the demographic factors is the education level. As identified, the most commonly used drugs are cigarettes, heroin and ice. This paper is however limited to the investigation of these factors and recommends the way forward in identifying and reducing drug addiction among the youth in Sri Lanka.