“A STUDY ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG THE STUDENTS.

Mantasha Ansari Ruchita Juikar Dr. Ashwini Joshi

Student, Student, Asst.Prof.
TYBMS/HR TYBMS/HR VSIT
Roll No- 17301A0054 Roll No- 17301A0054 ashwini.joshi@visit.edu.com
Vidyalankar School Of Vidyalankar School Of
Information And Technology Information And
Vidyalankar Educational Technology
Campus, Vidyalankar Educational
Vidyalankar College Marg, Campus,
Wadala East, Vidyalankar College Marg,
Mumbai, Wadala East,
Maharashtra Mumbai,
400037 Maharashtra
Email ID- 400037
mantashaansari88@gmail.com Email ID-
Mobile No. - 7666166913 ruchita2422@gmail.com
Mobile No. - 8291417713

ABSTRACT-

Drug abuse is a more intense and often wilful misuse of drugs often to the point of addiction. In the eastern
world the incidence shows a decline or a static pattern but the number of drug addicts is still enormous..
The major drug of abuse are heroin and marijuana but designer drugs are shown to be on the increase. The
aim of the study is to determine the ratio of the drug abuse in student. For this purpose we selected
“VIDYALANKAR SCHOOL OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY” (private sector) conducted
survey in 50 student. High proportion of students was found abusing drugs. From this study, we came across
multiple factors which are the main cause of drug abuse in medical student including depression, anxiety,
schizophrenia, as well as personality disorder like antisocial personality disorder. The most commonly
abused drugs include stimulants, opioids, and benzodiazepines, antihistamines. Although survey have
indicated high rate of illicit and prescription drugs misuse among college students, few have assessed the
negative consequences, personal concerns, or interest in intervention for drugs use. Drug abuse although
regarded as a personality disorder, may also be seen as worldwide epidemic with evolutionary genetic,
physiology and environmental influences Controlling and affecting human behaviour. Globally, the use has
reached all time high. The study showed males are more drug abusers as compared to females.

Keywords: Drug Abuse, addiction, stress

1) INTRODUCTION-
No one who tries a drug plans to become addicted. Teens may try alcohol because they saw their parents
drinking, or they may experiment with marijuana because their friends offered it to them. Some people can
have one drink or one hit and stop. It’s not as easy for others — especially those who have a family history
of addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain that causes people to repeatedly seek and use drugs
despite serious negative consequences. Because the brains of teens are still developing, their risk for
addiction is higher than that of adults.

When teens become addicted to drugs or alcohol, the disease can slow brain development or trigger a variety
of mental health disorders, including depression.

The vast majority of middle schoolers have never tried alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs. As expected,
teens in high school are more likely to try the substances as they get older.

How Do Drugs and Alcohol Affect a Teen’s Brain?

Drugs have a more drastic effect on children and teens than on adults because the brain continues to
develop until about age 25. As children grow older, the brain develops unevenly. The parts of the brain in
charge of coordination, emotion and motivation develop much more quickly than the parts that control
reasoning and impulse. That is why teens seem to respond emotionally much more often than adults. It’s
also why they’re more prone to risk-taking behaviour. In addition, a developing brain is more easily
damaged than a fully matured brain.

Alcohol and other drugs disrupt brain development. They negatively affect a person’s memory and ability
to respond to stimuli and stressful situations. That’s why people who abuse drugs at a young age often
suffer mental health problems — including depression, personality disorders or suicidal thoughts — later
in life.

Signs of Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse

The immediate sensations associated with drinking or using drugs include relief, silliness, euphoria and
happiness. Those side effects are short-lived, though. The happy feelings are often followed by
headaches, drowsiness, nausea, dehydration, exhaustion and fever.

When Do Teens Try Drugs?

People start using drugs at different times in their lives. Research shows that some children begin using
substances such as amphetamines and cigarettes in elementary school, while others may experiment with
drugs such as heroin as high school seniors.
Where Do Teens Get Drugs?

Teens can access drugs in a variety of ways, from classmates at school to illegal pharmacies on the
internet. In some cases, your child may find alcohol and other drugs at their friends’ homes or even
purchase them at retail stores.

Why Do Teens Use Drugs and Alcohol?

Teens abuse drugs for different reasons. Most teens say they take drugs to get high. Others use drugs to
escape stress related to school or family. They may start drinking or using drugs because they are curious,
because they want to fit in with others or because they don’t think drugs are risky.

How Drug Use Can Affect Your Teen’s Life?

Drug abuse can cause a variety of long-term problems for teens. The most severe consequence is death —
whether it’s by overdose, traffic accidents, crime-related activity or other causes. When left untreated,
drug or alcohol addiction can cause potentially fatal health issues, including stroke, heart disease and liver
failure. Teens who abuse drugs get into accidents at a high rate. They die from suicide, accidents and
illness much more often than teens who avoid drugs.

2) OBJECTIVES-

i. To study the concept of drug abuse.

ii. To determine the ratio of the drug abuse in students.
iii. To determine the reason for drug abuse.
iv. To give awareness to students about drug abuse.
v. To determine a plan for treatment.

3) LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY-

1. Difficulty in getting responses from the respondents.

2. The sample size is limited.
4) LITERATURE REVIEW-

1. Madan (1969) has stated that alcoholism and drug addiction are harmful not only for the individual but
also for his family and the society at large. There is a well-known proverb “Once a drinker always a
drinker”. The truth is that all hard drinkers start with moderate drinking and gradually increase the
quantity to become addicts.

2. Hiramani and Sharma (1988) has given three interpretations for the use of drugs: One school
interprets it as ‘anti-social behaviour’ calling for suppressive measures against the users branded as
‘deviants’; the other school views the issue as one of ‘personal maladjustment of troubled individuals’
requiring medical or psychiatric treatment; and the third school considers the use of drugs as the end-
product of functioning of social and cultural sub-systems that produce status problems and interest
conflicts.

3. Macionis (2001) states that re-socialization means radically changing an inmate’s personality through
carefully controlling the environment. Re socialization is a two-part process. First, the staff breaks down
the new inmate’s existing identity, using what Goffman describes as “abasements, degradations,
humiliations, and profanations of self.” In the second part of the re-socialization process, the staff tries to
build a new self in the inmate through a system of reward and punishments. Re-socialization can bring
about considerable change in an inmate, but total institutions affect different people in different ways.
While some inmates are considered ‘rehabilitated’ or recovered, other may change little.

4. Rao (2004) views socialization as a process whereby an individual becomes a functioning member of
the society. The individual becomes socialised by learning the rules and practices of social groups. By
this process the individual develops a personality of his own. Peter Worsley explains socialization as the
process of “transmission of culture, the process whereby men learn the rules and practices of social
groups”.

5) RESEARCH METHODOLOGY-

It was a cross - sectional study among the undergraduate students of Vidyalankar School of Information
And Technology. 51 students were selected and information was collected by the help of questionnaire
method with the duration of 5 days. The questionnaire was developed on the basis of through literature
reviews. Students of age between 12 to 20 years were selected. The students with the age group below
than 12 years were excluded from the study. The collected data was entered and analysed.

1. Nature of study- Descriptive & Analytical

2. Method of data collection:
 Primary data through – questionnaire & survey.
 Secondary data- journals, articles, web site
3. Sample size-51
6) IMPORTANT FINDINGS & ANALYSIS-

37.3% Z Generation youth use drugs and alcohol to have fun.

66.7% of youth agree that drugs are easily available in community.

78.4%youth think that pharmacist can play important role in stopping drug abuse.

85.3% of youth think that drug abuse is more common in student as compare to others.
7) SUMMARY OF FINDINGS –

Our exploratory survey about the drug abuse from different Vidyalankar School of Information And
Technology has given various acceptable results. According to this survey out of 51 students,

- 68.6% of student has admitted that drug abuse seriously affected their socioeconomic status.
- The percentage of drug abuse is greater in males as compare to females.
- About 57% students take performance enhancer.
- The use of performance enhancer is greater in males as compared to females.
- The percentage of excessive use of drug is 86.3%. About 80% of the drugs are abuse by the age
group of 12-25 years.

1. Students consume some form of drug or alcohol in their student life.

2. 8% tried drugs or alcohol as young as 12 -15 years, 26% tried at the age of 16-19, 30% tried
between age of 20-25 years.
3. 52% tried to quit the addiction
4. The major reason for use of drugs and alcohol is – 37% to have fun , 27.5% to forget about
troubles , about 12% to fit it with friends and 11.8 % to experiment.
5. 76.5% know drugs or alcohol edicts in their circle.
6. 66.7% confirm that drugs are easily available.
7. 86.3% are of the opinion that drug abuse is more common in students.
8. 88% are aware of ill effects but still consume it.
9. 86% confirm that drug abuse is increasing day by day.

The above statistics are alarming. Inspite of knowing about the dangers - drug & alcohol abuse is
increasing at an alarming rate for which measures will have to be taken.

8) CONCLUSION-

The results concluded that abuse of drug was more common in students due to various reasons. It is a
major issue that is being faced not only by the Gen Z but the impact is felt on the value system of the
society. It is necessary to take a holistic approach to tackle this universal issue which is encountered
worldwide. This addiction not only affects the physical aspects but also the mental status and has an
influence on the socio economics and culture of the society at large. It leads to the rise in criminal
activities too; many a times to the extent of losing a valuable life.
9) SUGGESTIONS-

 Substance abuse and use of alcohol are the basic dilemma of today's health issues among younger
population. A serious note to be taken off by way of an Holistic approach.
 Stringent laws to be made to curb the free availability of banned drugs.
 A Zero tolerance policy towards sale of alcohol below the prescribed age. The basic reason of the drug
abuse that we have interpreted from the above survey is the easy access and availability of drug among
the community.
 More focus on creating awareness about the ill effects of drug & alcohol abuse in schools & colleges
from a very young age.
 More counselling & mentoring for drug abuse to be an integral part of the academic circle.
 Taking a 360 degree approach to tackle various stress parameters to avoid addiction with the
involvement of Government, Legislation, Parents, Teachers , Counsellors & professionals.
 A conscious effort needs to be made in alleviating this pressure as much as possible without
unduly decreasing the need felt by the students to study.
 A supportive environment to treat the addicts & bring them back to a normal drug free life without
treating them as culprits.
 An optimistic view to be the approach – “Your best days are ahead of you. The movie starts when
you get sober and try to put life together; it doesn’t end there.” Believe you can & you are halfway
there.

BIBILOGRAPHY-

Websites-
www.wikipedia.com
www.drugrehab.com
Article-
Matt Gonzales,
Review of literature-
shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in