DRUG ADDICTION AMONG YOUTH IN MADURAI DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

“Drug addiction is a preventable behaviour and it is a treatable disease”

Department of Sociology and Social Work, Fatima College (Autonomous) and ROOTS – a Non Government Organization did a study in Madurai on drug addiction among youth .The objective of the study is to find out the products used as drug and also the reasons for consuming drugs. Students studying 9^th standard to 12^th standard in various schools in Madurai District are observed and necessary interaction was made with the students and teachers of the school.

The study reveals that, there are many forms of drugs  used by youth such as formal drugs  like alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco (ganesh, supari) abin, tablets and injections and  informal drugs  like smelling petrol, kerosene, whitener, milk over with anabond solution, water packet cover with pvc solution, balloon with pvc solution, cool drink with anacin, cigarates with pain relief ointment (zandu bam, vicks).

Prominent findings:

·         The behavior of the students explicit the usage of drugs.

·         The girl students also use the formal drugs

·         The sports students use informal drugs with the thinking that it will boost up their energy.

·         Nearly 25 per cent of the students are drug addicts

·         The teachers are not able to control the students consuming drugs.

Findings relating to reasons for consuming drug

·         Orphan and poor parenting

·         Father being drug addict

·         To increase the body weight.

·         Peer group pressure

·         Beauty consciousness

·         Status improvement

It has felt by the people who made the study is to create awareness among the school students about the ill effects of drug consumption and also required counselling has to be provided for the affected students.