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.
