Impact of Drugs Addiction to Rural Development in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper describes the impact of drug addiction, alcoholism and smoking, at rural development process. In addition to the main objective of the study, it pays attention to find the factors for drug addiction in rural areas. This study scrutinizes the variations of drug addiction among children, elders, males and females. Drug abuse is one of the prominent problems which affect the country in many aspects including social, economic, and educational and health. The most highlighting issue with regard to drug abuse is that prisons in Sri Lanka accommodate approximately 40 percent of drug related offenders compelling the Government to spend large sums of money on them. So it has become a glaring problem for the country, both urban and rural, as they have become a burden to the country's economy and also to the society. The results of the study depicts that the drug addicted settlers of villages is a major threat for rural development because 75 percent of the respondents allocated more than half of their monthly income for alcohol and smoking. Though the government makes more taxes on drugs, there in not reduction of usage. In this situation, their families are more vulnerable to fulfil their basic needs. 95 percent of wives say that alcoholism and smoking is the major reason for their poor standard of living condition. All the respondents are aware about these drugs cause for health issues, and they want to take possible action to stop or reduce the addiction. The major problem is that there is still no proper mechanism to support them. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, field observations and key informant discussions. Pahala Kalankuttiya Grama Niladari Division of Galnewa Divisional Secretariat in Anuradhapura District has selected as the study area because this is one of the major drug addiction areas of Sri Lanka, and 50 families has been selected for sample survey. It was conducted 05 focused group discussions to collect the qualitative data, and both qualitative and quantitative data analyse techniques were applied.