A Sociological study on the factors affecting drug addiction among school students: with special reference to Batapola Police area

Abstract

Drug addiction among school students is burning issue in Sri Lanka. This study identified factors affecting drug addiction among school students. It will be necessary to find solutions to this social problem. The research problem is what are the factors affecting drug addiction among school students in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this research is to study and find solutions to the factors affecting drug addiction among school students and the specific objectives are to investigate the types of drug addiction among school students, to examine the family background affecting drug addiction among school students, to investigate the relationship between social economy and drug addiction, to examine the reasons behind the drug addiction among school students and to suggest solutions drug addiction among school students. Batapola Police area was examined as the study area to achieve research objectives. The 20 sample size was taken by using snowballing sample technique. Primary data collection methods of questionnaires and interviews have been used for research. Police records, scholarly articles, and research articles were used as secondary data collection methods to collect data for the research. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were used. Furthermore, SPSS software was used for statistical analysis, and thematic analysis for the interview was used. Based on the result it has revealed that the hobbies of drug addicts were using social media and hanging out with friends while most of them had no hobbies, most drug addicts’ parents had low levels of education, most of those who become addicted to drugs come from low income families, they have resorted to using drugs during various functions and outings or trips, most of them have turned to drugs because they are away from the direct supervision of their parents can be shown as the findings of this research. Finally the researcher recommended to conducting drug awareness programs in school level, introduce the laws relating to drug offences in Sri Lanka to course syllabus, and closely monitor the children by the parents or guardians to minimize the drug addiction among school students.