A study on the misuse of drugs among children and adolescents

Abstract

Background: A trend of misuse of drugs that should be used with a medical prescription can be identified in Sri Lanka. This research has been conducted to identify the types of drugs being misused, the methods of circulation, the methods used for them, the reasons for misusing drugs, and to innovate the methods related to referring drug misusers to rehabilitation. Method: In the study, the survey method was used under the mixed research methodology. 12 districts were selected as research fields for the study. 36 children and adolescents who misuse drugs given on a medical prescription were selected as the sample. Structured questionnaires, interview methods, and secondary data were used as data collection techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were analyzed under the thematic content analysis method. Results: These 36 individuals were between 14 and 18 years of age. 13 (36.1%) of the individuals were married, and one person was living together without being married. The majority of individuals were persons with minimal education. The majority of the sample were unskilled laborers, and 05 individuals were persons doing drug-related jobs. One of them was a student. They had misused Pregabalin, Diazepam, Tramadol, Morphine, Flunitrazepam, and Clonazepam. The majority of individuals were multi-drug users. Curiosity, peer pressure, pleasure, as a substitute for drugs, and avoiding problems were the main reasons for drug misuse. 07 (19.4%) people through pharmacies, 19 (52.8%) through friends, and 09 (25%) from a personally known seller had bought and misused the drugs. The first time drugs were used was identified as at a festival, with friends, at a nightclub, and during sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Due to drug misuse, the majority of individuals in the sample had developed various physical and mental illnesses. It can be concluded that the use of these drugs shows a tendency to spread due to factors such as the availability of drugs that must be used with a medical prescription, and social environmental factors, and there is a risk of the young community and children turning to them.