A Situation Analysis of Drug Addiction in Sukhothai Province - การวิเคราะห์สถานการณ์การเสพสารเสพติด จังหวัดสุโขทัย

Abstract

       This descriptive research was conducted aiming at studying situation of drug use addiction as well as knowledge and attitude of people concerning drugs. Study population, Sukhothai people, aged 15-70 years, during January - September 2007, amounted to 476,956 people. The samples, drawn by multistage random sampling from districts, sub-districts and villages, included 400 subjects.

       The questionnaire was composed of 4 parts : 1) general information, 2) general health survey, 3) drug use experiences, and 4) knowledge and attitude related to drugs. The questionnaire was both close and open ended were filled up by well trained interviewers. Data was analyzed employing descriptive statistics, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

       The research reported that 22.5 percent used to smoke cigarettes, 33.3 percent drink alcohol, 0.75 percent use volatile substances, 3 percent on marijuana,1.8 percent on kratom (MITRAGYNA SPECIOSA). No one admitted ever using amphetamine, e-drug, K-drug, cocaine, heroin, and icedrug.

       Of those 67.8 percent smoking cigarette had their first experiences around age 16-20 years, 30 percent were given from friends, for free (60 %), at school (53.3%) or buying from convenience store (57.8%) and 55.6 percent smoking 6-20 days monthly at a rate of 0.5-1pack per day (65.6%). It was reported that 57.9 percent experienced their first drink around the age of 16-20 years, of which 35.3 percent had been drinking for more than 20 years. Whereas 44.4 percent of them could recall drinking within the week, 51.1 percent of them had varying rates of alcohol consumption at a frequency of 1-2 day per week (30.1%).

Only 3 people (0.75%), aged 16 -20 years, admitted using inhalants more than 20 days a month, buying at groceries stores. Two out of the three had their first try given from friends at schools for free and normally used them at home.

      Whereas only 12 people had experiences with hash, of which 41.7 percent started at age 16-20 years, 58.3 percent given by their friends at work (58.3%). All of them had their first try for free, 83.3 percent bought hash from their neighbors and had been using it at work place 41.7 percent. All of them used hash 6-20 days a month.

     A number of people still experienced drugs and therefore, dictates the need for policy, strategies and guideline to prevent and conlrol drug problems as well as research and development.

Key word: drug addict