“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 Technology
Vidyalankar Educational Campus, Vidyalankar Educational Campus,
Vidyalankar College Marg, Vidyalankar College Marg,
Wadala East, Wadala East,
Mumbai, Mumbai,
Maharashtra Maharashtra
400037 400037
Email ID- Email ID-
mantashaansari88@gmail.com ruchita2422@gmail.com
Mobile No. - 7666166913 Mobile No. - 8291417713

ABSTRACT-

Drug abuse is a more intense and often willful 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.

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) OBJECTIVE-

 To study the concept of drug abuse.

 To determine the ratio of the drug abuse in students.
 To determine the reason for drug abuse.
 To give awareness to students about drug abuse.
 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) METHODOLOGY-

It was a cross - sectional study among the undergraduate students of Vidyalankar School of Information And
Technology. One Hundred students were selected and information was collected by the help of questionnaire
method with the duration of 10 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-50
5) 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”.
6) 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) 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 50 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. Consume some form of drug or alcohol

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 abandoned opportunities. Male
students were found more abusive than females. Substance abuse was greatly affected socioeconomic status of
students.

9) SUGGESTIONS-

 Substance abuse and use of alcohol are the basic dilemma of today's health issues among younger
population. A large number of studies focusing on these issues have been carried out.
 Students make up a substantial population of drug users and are known to use illicit substances as aid in
academic efficiency and recreation.
 Life of a student or a health care professional can be very stressful. Mild, moderate, and high levels of
stress and even burnout have been reported amongst students and health care professionals.
  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.
 Lack of information about the drugs and over use of drug is a common factor to abuse drug among
student. Peer pressure is the prime factor among the student as compares to non- student that
increases the abuse of drug.
 Academic stress was identified as a very important factor in drug misuse. This illustrates the pressure
felt by the students to surpass in their studies,
 which could result from overly competitive environments or from very high expectations placed
by teachers, family and friends.
 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.
 The amount and severity of stress experienced by students may vary according the settings of their
curricula, +
 The important reasons for not indulging in illicit substance use as identified by the students included
religion and health risk. An individual belonging to a supportive family is less likely to give in to drug
abuse as compared to one coming from a strict family.

10) BIBILOGRAPHY-

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