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Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of Bangladesh

Article · May 2017

DOI: 10.9790/0837-2205072731

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IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)
Volume 22, Issue 5, Ver. 7 (May. 2017) PP 27-31
e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
www.iosrjournals.org

Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of

Bangladesh
Md. Abdul Ahad1, Dr. Mitu Chowdhury1, Dr. Indrajit Kundu2, Nishith Zahan
Tanny3, Dr. M. Wakilur Rahman3
1
Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet- 3100, Bangladesh.
2
Department of Sociology, Chittagong University, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh.
3
Department of Rural Sociology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract:- The study investigated the causes of drug addiction among the youth and identified the problems
faced by young drug addicts as consequences of drug addiction. In this study, through purposive sampling
technique total 42 drug addicts were identified. Data was collected by using structured questionnaire, interview
schedule and observation. To identify the causes of drug addiction, an analytical technique namely Influencing
Causes Index (ICI) was used. The study depicts that curiosity was first and foremost reason and temptation by
friends was the second reason behind drug addiction among youth. This study also revealed that highest 76.19%
of drug addicts changed taking of drugs one after another to get adventure by tasting different drugs. About
88.09% drug addicts feel being neglected by their relatives due to drug addiction. About 95.24% felt that they
did not have any discipline in their daily life and 50% have experienced some sexual problems due to their
involvement in drug addiction. About 33.33% were faced some physical problems like kidney failure, lungs
problem, heart disease, paralysis and psychological problem in pornography etc. Areas and context specific data
are important for future policies and effective surveillance initiatives.

Key words: Cause, Drug Addiction, Youth, Sylhet City, Bangladesh.

I. INTRODUCTION
Despite the risk factors associated with drug abuse and addiction, drug addiction is quite common
throughout the world. According to the World Drug Report (2010), the use of illicit drugs has increased
throughout the world in recent years. It is also estimated that there were between 99000 and 253000 deaths
globally in 2009 as a result of illicit drug use. Moreover, it was estimated that in 2008, there were 16 million
injecting drug users worldwide and that of 3 million (18.9 percent) were living with HIV. Not only limited to
this, the excessive, maladaptive, or addictive use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes also create a state,
emotional and sometimes physical, characterized by a compulsion to take drugs on a constant basis to
experience its mental effects. Drug addiction gives rise to dependence on both physical and psychological. The
effects of drug addiction on an individual therefore form the basis for its cumulative effects on the family as
well as in society.
The geographic location and availability of drugs made Bangladesh as one of the worst victims of drug
(DNC, 2013). For instance, Bangladesh is situated in the central point between the ‘golden triangle’ (Myanmar,
Thailand and Laos) and the ‘golden crescent’ (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) and with its easy land, sea and air
access is becoming a major transit point. Traffickers who supply drugs in the markets of Northern America,
Africa, and Europe are routing their shipments through Dhaka, Comilla, Khulna, Sylhet and other routes in
Bangladesh. The major illicit drugs available in Bangladesh are Opium (Heroin, Pethedine, Cocaine),
Cannabis/Marijuana (Ganja, Chorosh, Bhang, Hashish), Stimulant (Yaba, Ectasy, Viagra), Sleeping pill
(Tranquilizer,Diazepam etc.) and Cough syrup (Phensidyl, Dexpotent etc.) (DNC, 2013). The negative effects of
drug addiction are enormous. For example, drug addiction is well identified as an important risk factor for
family violence, particularly in cases involving serious violence, including homicide (Brookoff et al., 1997;
Easton et al., 2000). Besides, drug addiction is related to destructive family behaviors, including child addiction
and neglect (Bays, 1990; Davis, 1994; Famularo, Kinscherff & Fenton, 1992; Sheridan, 1995) and incest
(Hurley, 1991). Not only confined to this, an addicted person may show a decline in academic performance,
frequently fails to attend classes, loses interest in school work and displays weakened motor coordination, poor
health, and lack of interest in old friendships (Bawkin and Bawkin, 1972). Literatures show that there are a lot
factors responsible behind drug addiction. A combination of physical addiction, sexual addiction, violence in the
family, and a parental history of alcohol/drug use are correlated with youth substance addiction (Harrier et al.
2001). People take drugs to wade off boredom arising from monotony of life activities. The initial dosage level
is always small and tolerable; prolong taking of drugs leads to progressive increase of the dosage level in order
DOI: 10.9790/0837-2205072731 www.iosrjournals.org 27 | Page
 Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of Bangladesh

to produce the same effect. Youth like experimenting, the first experience may produce a state of arousal such as
happiness and pleasure which in turn motivates them to continue (Isah, 2007). Substance addiction is frequently
accompanied by some other problems, such as mental illness, domestic violence, economic difficulties, housing
needs and residence in dangerous neighborhood environments (Semidei et al. 2001). There are more than 4
million drug addicts in Bangladesh and in Sylhet city it would be approximately one fourth of the total number.
A lot of drug addicted patients are taking treatment in many rehabilitation centers of Bangladesh. In Sylhet
region, there are more than 10 rehabilitation centers. Maximum patients who are taking the treatment in these
rehabilitation centers are youth. Their age ranges from 16 to 40 years. This signals the size of drug addicts of
this city. Many criminal activities are thought to be done by drug addicts to collect money to buy drugs. The
police and other laws enforcing agencies take their action against drug addicts as per routine duty. Surveys also
show that family disorganization and breakdown are also occurring due to the factors of drug addiction. School
dropout students are also increasing everywhere in our country which may have connection with drug intake.
For these reasons, it was very essential to conduct research in this field and that will be able to disseminate the
negative consequences of drug addiction especially among youth.
The objectives of this study are to examine the causes of drug addiction among the youth and to identify the
problems that young drug addicts are facing. As this topic is relatively sensitive and confidential, many
respondents were reluctant to provide information about drug addiction. For this reason, the study was
undertaken in selected drug rehabilitation centers of Sylhet city which were situated in Baluchar, Uposhahar and
Patantula Point. This study has been done taking few respondents in limited time.

II. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

Methodology is an indispensable and integrated part of any research. Considering the objectives of the
present study, Sylhet City area was selected. Sylhet is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. At present, there
are more than 10 drug rehabilitation centers in Sylhet City. Purposively among those rehabilitation centers, five
drug rehabilitation centers were randomly selected for this study. From these drug rehabilitation centers, 42
respondents were drawn through purposive sampling technique. Survey and observation research design were
used. According to Gall and Gall (1996), the main purpose of a survey is to use questionnaires and interviews to
collect data from the participants about their characteristics, experiences and opinions, in order to generalize the
findings to a population that the sample is intended to represent. The study included only those who were
interested to participate. The data was collected from the sample respondents from January to March, 2016.
After completing the each interview, the questionnaires were checked and verified to be sure that answer to each
question was properly recorded. The collected data and information from survey were tabulated, summarized
and analyzed according to the objectives of the study. Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel were used for
analyzing the data. Besides descriptive statistics, an analytical technique was also used. To identify the major
causes of drug addiction, the Influencing Cause’s Index (ICI) measure was used. This ICI measure was mainly
followed from the idea of Constraint Facing Index (CFI) developed by J. C. Pandit and N. C. Basak (2013). To
conduct this Influencing Causes Index (ICI), it is important to identify the dependent variables (influencing
causes). Each dependent variable must have four response levels as ‘very high’, ‘high’, ‘little’ and ‘not at all’
including weight 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively. One respondent can select one response level for each variable. This
scaling technique helps to get the percentages of response level categories of each aspect. The percentage of
each response level category has been calculated in respect of overall respondents. To get ICI score for each
aspect of influencing causes, the percentages of four response level of each aspect of influencing causes has
been calculated through using the following formulae,
ICI= Pn×0 + P1×1 + Ph×2 + Pvh×3
Where,
Pn= Percentage of drug addicts are not having this as an influencing cause
Pl= Percentage of drug addicts having this as a little influencing cause
Ph= Percentage of drug addicts having this as a high influencing cause
Pvh= Percentage of drug addicts having this as a very high influencing cause

III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Reason behind drug addiction
To establish the reasons for drug addiction among youths, the researcher asked youth respondent (who
were admitted in different drug rehabilitation centers) the questions related to causes of drug addiction. The
respondents were allowed to respond to multiple-choice questions. Drug addicts usually face many enticing
factors that are usually considered as the reasons for taking drugs. For specifying the most influencing causes
behind drug addiction, ICI measure was used. The computed ICI and associated rank order on the basis of ICI
values, taking all 13 causes items have been presented in Table 1.

DOI: 10.9790/0837-2205072731 www.iosrjournals.org 28 | Page

 Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of Bangladesh

Table 1: Rank order of 13 selected causes faced by the drug addicts

Item ICI Score Rank
Curiosity 199.98 1
Encouragement from 192.84 2
friends
Entertainment 173.79 3
Personal interest about 171.44 4
drugs
To get relief from tension 130.96 5
Surrounding environment 116.66 6
Frustration from family 114.30 7
issues
Unemployment problem 85.73 8
Others 80.94 9
Easy access to drugs 73.79 10
Estranged in love 59.50 11
Unhappy in conjugal life 57.12 12
Drug addiction within the 57.07 13
family

Study shows that curiosity of the drug addicts was ranked first (ICI Score: 199.98) among the 13 causes on the
basis of ICI values, computed by using the responses of drug addicts. The cause item namely ‘encouragement
from friends’ was ranked as second in all the 13 cause items. Entertainment was ranked as third cause of drug
addiction among the youth. Table1 also indicates that drug addicts were little encouraged by the reason of drug
addiction within the family and this item was ranked as 13, the lowest rank order among the all 13 cause items.
Chronic drug addicts often changes drugs one after another. There are many reasons associated with this. It is
important to note that each respondent had chosen multiple reasons. According to survey result, the most
common causes are given in figure1.
Figure 1: Reason behind changing of drugs one after another by drug addicts
76.19%
Percentage of drug addicts

80 66.67% 61.9%
70
60
50
40 26.19% 23.81%
30 14.29%9.52%
20 2.38%
10
0

Reason behind changing of drugs

Study shows that the highest 76.19% of drug addicts changed the taking of drugs one after another to get
adventure by tasting different drugs. To feel better, 66.67% of the drug addict continuously changed drugs. Only
2.38% drug addicts reported that they changed drugs one after another because of the lower cost of drugs. So, it
is evident that, price acts as a minor factor in changing the different items of drugs.

1.2 Major problems faced by drug addicts

3.2.1 Social and financial problems faced by drug addicts
Drug addicts often face various kinds of problem. These are mainly social, financial, physical and
psychological. Due to these problems, they are becoming alienated from their family and society. So,
identification and analysis of the problems or constraints faced by drug addicts in our society is necessary to
capture the whole scenario of drug addiction. The key problems that found through observing drug addicts are
discussed in the following sections (figure 2).

DOI: 10.9790/0837-2205072731 www.iosrjournals.org 29 | Page

 Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of Bangladesh

Figure 2: Major social and financial problems faced by drug addicts

Major problems faced by drug

Others 19.05%
Carelessness by medical … 28.57%
Financial Problem 57.14%

addicts
Neglected by relatives 88.09%
Neglected by friends 52.38%
Neglected by family members 73.81%

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percentage of drug addicts

Study shows that 73.81% of the drug addicts were neglected by their family members and the highest 88.09%
drug addicts felt being neglected by their relatives due to drug addiction. The ignorance makes them socially
isolated and also pushes them towards continuation of drug intake. Consequently, this led to vicious circle of
drug addiction.

3.2.2 Physical or psychological problems faced by drug addicts

There are a number of long-term physical and psychological effects of drug addiction that can easily
turn a healthy man or women into a frail shadow of former self. It is important to note that drug addicts were
facing multiple kinds of problem. The physical and psychological problems faced by drug addicts are
represented in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Physical or psychological problems faced by drug addicts
120
Percentage of drug addicts

95.24%
100
80.95%
80 69.05%
64.29%
60 54.77% 50%
42.86% 33.33%
40 33.33%
21.43%
9.52%
20
0

Physical or psychological problems faced by drug addicts

The findings revealed that about 95.24% felt that lack of discipline in their daily life was due to drug addiction.
The study also depicted that 80.95% of the drug addicts behaved abnormally due to their addiction to drugs.
Similarly, about 69.05% of the drug addicts felt dizziness until they were taking drugs. About 50% drug addicts
have experienced the sexual problems because of taking drugs. About 33.33% faced some physical problems
like kidney problem, lungs problem, heart disease, paralysis and psychological problem of addiction to
pornography etc.

IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Drug addiction has threatened the lives of the youth. Day-by-day the most productive youth young
generation of our country are getting involved with the drug addiction. Like other parts of our country, drug
addiction among youths is one of the major problems of Sylhet city and now-a-days it’s started spreading
DOI: 10.9790/0837-2205072731 www.iosrjournals.org 30 | Page
 Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of Bangladesh

everywhere. So, it is urgent to take necessary initiatives to get relief from the destruction of this disastrous habit.
From the analytical discussion, it is clear that curiosity on drugs is the main reason behind the involvement of
youth in drug addiction. The rank order also shows that encouragement from friends is the second most
identified cause of drug addiction among youth. For entertainment and personal interest on drugs, many youth
individuals are also getting involved in drug addiction. Study also revealed that the highest number of drug
addicts changed drugs one after another to feel the adventure in tasting different drugs. Besides these some
social, physical and psychological problems of drug addiction were also identified. Drug addiction is
responsible for lost wages, destruction of property, soaring health care costs and broken families. Addiction
leads many people into downward spiral of hopelessness that in some cases ends fatally. Study showed that a
large number of drug addicts were neglected by their family members and relatives. This makes them socially
alienated. Sometimes negligence can make oneself more devastating and more addictive. There are some
recommendations for effective programming to prevent and reduce drug addiction among the youth. First of all,
self willingness to give up of taking drugs is the best way and strength for the youth. It may be an important
initiative to buildup strength and self motivation among youth. Motivation can also come from both formal and
informal agents, like, friends, family members, schools, colleges or other institutions. Parents have to spend
adequate time with their children, especially in urban areas where most of them are employed. Parental
monitoring must be increased about the children’s behavior, their partner, where they go, when they go and
returned to home etc. Family members, relatives and friends must encourage and influence them positively so
that they can come back from addiction. For this, there must have dissemination of the authentic information
about negative consequences of drug abuse among them. There should have direct involvement of different
government and development practitioners who will work with drug addicts not only for short term basis but for
long term treatment and caring. Assurance of normal life can act as a tonic for drug addicts. If they are assured
that they will be placed in a secured place after recovery, then it will be easier. Treatment and rehabilitation
centers, who have been working for the treatment of drug addicts, their maintenance environment should be
improved and skilled medical personnel should be appointed. Finally, media coverage can play a crucial role in
creating awareness among youth about the devastating effects of drug addiction.

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DOI: 10.9790/0837-2205072731 www.iosrjournals.org 31 | Page

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