Factors behind increasing trends of drug intake among University students

Abstract

Substance use in educational institutions is one of the burning social issues in educational institutions throughout the world. Pakistan is also not safe from this menace. Substance use by the students can be harmful leading to low academic performance and high risk of diseases. This thesis discusses the prevailing trends of drug intake among university students in Islamabad, Pakistan. The main objective of the study was to find out the factors, nature and consequences associated with drug use among the university students. Quantitative research methodology was used to carry out the research while a sample of 40 students has been drawn by using snow ball sampling technique. Forty respondents were interviewed for collection of data. The results highlighted various factors responsible for the drug intake among university students in Pakistan. Newly enrolled students usually fall prey to the senior students who ultimately motivate them to use the drugs. While another compelling factor found to be study related stress. Many of the respondents admitted that initially the students take drugs as a fashion but later on they get addicted to it. The peer group or the peer pressure is also one of the contributing factors that lead students to use drugs. The study concludes that drugs are now becoming quite usual among university students in Pakistan consequently affecting their personal, academic and professional life. The study suggests that media should play its part in highlighting the consequences of drug intake on a larger scale; furthermore, there should be strict surveillance around the premises of the universities to keep proper check and balance to tackle and discourage the drug paddlers and drug businesses. The study further suggests that periodical drug tests should be made compulsory for the students before and during their stay in university.