16-Dec-19

16-Dec-19

Drug addiction in
Students

Supervisor:- Ms. Tahira Moeen

Submitted by:-
1. Ume Hafsa (047)
2. Mubashir Nazeer (050)
3. Arbaz Khan (057)
4. Nasrullah (062)
5. Huzaifa Javed Iqbal (063)
6. Maaz Ahmed (072)
7. Hamza Durez (079)

COMSATS ISLAMABAD,WAH CAMPUS

Supervisor:- Ms. Tahira Moeen

Table of Contents
List of illustrations:-...................................................................................................................................... 1
Abstract:- ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Introduction:- ........................................................................................................................................ 2
2. Methodology:- ...................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Literature Review:- ............................................................................................................................... 3
4. Drug Addiction:- ................................................................................................................................... 3
Questionnaire:- ........................................................................................................................................ 5
5. Result:- .................................................................................................................................................. 6
6. Conclusion:- .......................................................................................................................................... 7
7. Recommendations:- ............................................................................................................................. 7
1) Supply reduction:- ............................................................................................................................ 7
2) Control of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances:- ............................................................... 7
3) Drug use Prevention:- ...................................................................................................................... 8
4) Treatment and care services:- ......................................................................................................... 8
5) Monitoring and evaluation of programmes and interventions:- ................................................... 8
6) Cooperation within national and international stakeholders:- ...................................................... 9
8. Works cited:-......................................................................................................................................... 9
9. Appendices:- ....................................................................................................................................... 10

List of illustrations:-
Table 1)Demographic response of participated students profile.…………………………………………………………..5

Table 2)Comparison of different parameters between different gender(male, female).……………………….5

Table 3)Comparison of different parameters among the Govt and private sector…………………………………5

Table 4)Comparison of different parameters among the different age groups.…………………………………….6

Figure 1)Demographic response of participated students profile:……………………………………………………….10

Figure 2)Comparison of different parameters between different genders (male, female)………………….10

Figure 3)Comparison of different parameters among Govt and Private sector……………………………………10

Figure 4)Comparison of different parameters among different age groups…………………………………………11

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Abstract:-
Drug abuse is an intense and often willful misuse of drugs. The overdrew of substance or drugs
leads to addiction. In the eastern world, the incidence shows a decline or a static pattern, but
the number of drug addicts is still enormous. Drug abuse regarded as a personality disorder also
is seen as a worldwide epidemic with evolutionary genetics, physiology and environmental
influences controlling and affecting human behaviour. Globally, the use has reached an all-time
high. The major abusive drugs are heroin and marijuana, but designer drugs(cannabinoids)have
shown on the peak. The study aims to determine the ratio of drug abuse in students. For this
purpose, we selected different institutes, including two private universities and two
government universities and surveyed 500 students. A high proportion of students were found
abusing drugs. From this study, we came across multiple factors which are the leading cause of
drug abuse in students, including depression, anxiety, peer pressure, schizophrenia, as well as a
personality disorder. The most commonly abused drugs include stimulants, opioids, and
benzodiazepines, antihistamines and LSD. Although the survey has indicated a high rate of illicit
and prescription drugs misuse among college students. The study showed that males are more
drug abusers as compared to females. The drug abuse ratio in students of the private sector is
more as compared to the Government sector.

1. Introduction:-
This report intends to determine

 the reason for drug addiction,

 the pattern of drug abuse,
 the extent of awareness of students about drug abuse through a questionnaire.
The study will use multiple surveys conducted by various governmental and Non-governmental
organisations as the primary source material. The scope of this study is limited to
undergraduate students of private and public universities of Punjab. There is still a possibility of
underreporting of substance abuse in our study as drugs and alcohol are considered a taboo in
Pakistani society. Our study intensity includes a large sample size and a reasonable response
rate, but still, various restrictions need to be conceived. The study was done in just four
Institutions, so results may not be extrapolated to all Institutes. So there is a need in the future
to research more and find more elaborated results of this highly significant issue. Throughout
the report, substance abuse may be used interchangeably with drug addiction.

2. Methodology:-
The data collected from various surveys contains the following methodology:-
It was a cross-sectional study conducted among multiple undergraduate students of private and
public universities of Punjab. The study was conducted in compliance with “ethical principles”
among students of different universities. A strict protocol was discussed with students; all
possible measures were taken to ensure the confidentiality of all participants. Verbal informed

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consent was obtained from the students. Five hundred students were selected, and information
was collected with the help of a questionnaire within two months. The questionnaire was
developed based on thorough literature reviews. Informal interviews and verbal counselling
were done to enhance our understanding of the previous and existing ratio of drug-abuse in
students. The eligibility criteria were adjusted in such a way that both genders (male, female)
were studied. Students aged between 17 to 25 years were selected with multiple reasons for
drug abuse. The students with the age group below 15 years were excluded from the study. The
collected data was entered and analysed by statistical tools.

3. Literature Review:-
 “Substance abuse is defined as a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to
clinically significant impairment or distress, wherein the person may also suffer from
tolerance and withdrawal.” (Gelder M).
 “Substance abuse is a common problem worldwide.” (Majidshafique).
 “The epidemiology of drug addiction in a given society seems to be dependent on
cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes to drug use, which are quite variable across
cultures and geographical regions.” (Emmanuel, Akhtar & Rahbar).
 “Parent’s substance abuse habits were the most influential factor in affecting a child’s
substance abuse.” (Foo YC, Tam CL, Lee TH).
 “There are no one test that definitely indicates that someone has drug abuse or
addiction.” (Kristen Bush).
 “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.” (S. Khalid).

4. Drug Addiction:-
Substance abuse is defined as a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically
significant impairment or distress, wherein the person may also suffer from tolerance and
withdrawal. Substance abuse is not limited to mood-altering or psychoactive drugs. Activity
enhancing drugs, when inappropriately used (as in steroids for performance enhancement in
sports), are also considered substance abuse. Therefore, not only mood-altering, psychoactive
substances, but activity enhancing drugs are drugs of abuse. Some of the drug most often
associated with substance abuse includes Alcohol, Crystal Meth, MDMA, Barbs, Benzos,
Cocaine, Quaaludes, and opioids. The use of these drugs may lead to criminal penalties in
addition to possible Physical, Social, and Psychological harm. Substance abuse is a common
problem worldwide.

The epidemiology of drug addiction in a given society seems to be dependent on cultural values,
beliefs, and attitudes to drug use, which are quite variable across cultures and geographical
regions. Drug abuse refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not intended or
using a drug in excessive quantities. All sorts of different drugs can be abused, including illegal

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drugs(Heroin, Cannabis), prescription medicines(Pain killers), and medicines bought at
supermarkets(Cough mixers).

There are several biological, psychological, and social factors, called risk factors, that can
increase a person’s likelihood of developing a drug -abuse or drug dependency disorder. The
frequency to which drug-abuse disorders occur within some families seems to be higher than
could be explained by an addictive environment of the family. Parent’s substance abuse habits
were the most influential factor in affecting a child’s substance abuse. Social risk factors for
drug abuse and addiction include the male gender, being between 18 and 44 years of age,
unmarried marital status and lower socioeconomic status. According to statistics by state, men
are more at risk for developing a drug dependency like alcoholism; women seem to be more
vulnerable to becoming addicted to alcohol at much lower amounts of alcohol consumptions.
There are many social and ethical issues surrounding the use and abuse of drugs. These issues
are made complex, mainly because of conflicting values concerning drug use within modern
societies. Values may be influenced by multiple factors, including social, religious, and personals
views.

No one test definitely indicates that someone drug addiction. Therefore health care
practitioners diagnose these disorders by gathering comprehensive medical, family, mental
health information. They evaluate with quiz or self-test as a screening tool for substance abuse
or dependence, Since some of the drug misuse and dependence can occur due to other mental
illnesses. The mental health screening is to determine if the individual has bipolar disorder, an
anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and other psychoactive disorder. The
primary goal of drug abuse or addiction treatment (recovery) is abstinence, relapse prevention,
and rehabilitation. During the initial stage of abstinence, an individual who suffers from drug
dependency may need help avoiding or lessening the effects of withdrawal. That process is
called detoxification or detox. That aspect of treatment is usually performed in a hospital or
other inpatient setting, where medication used to lessen withdrawal symptoms and frequent
medical monitoring can be provided.

The therapy used for detox is determined by the drug the individual is dependent upon. For
example, people with alcohol dependence might receive medication like Xanax, blood pressure
medications to decrease palpitations and blood pressure, Valium during the detoxification
process. For many drugs of abuse, the detox process is the most challenging aspect of coping
with the physical symptoms of addiction and tends to last days to a few weeks. However, those
who have more severe addiction have relapsed after participation in outpatient programs, or
who also suffer from severe mental illness might need the higher structure, support, and
monitoring of provided in an inpatient drug treatment centre sometimes called “rehab.”

The treatment of addiction is helping the parents, other family members, and friends of the
addicted person refrain from supporting addictive behaviours. More successful are integrated
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treatment programs that include interventions for both disorders such interventions are more
improved by the inclusion of assessment, intensive case management, motivational
interventions, final treatment as well as services for housing, rehabilitation, and medication
treatment.

Questionnaire:-
Table 3)Demographic response of participated students profile:

Questions Response (%)

Yes No
Have you ever tried to quit? 45 55
Does your socioeconomic status affect it? 60 40
Are drugs readily available to teen-agers in your community? 85 15
Is drug abuse increasing day by day? 60 40
Do you think smoking is preferred over alcohol? 75 25
Have you overused prescription drugs? 60 40
What do you think pharmacists can play an essential role in stopping drug abuse? 80 20
Do you think that drug abuse is more common in students as compared to others? 52 48
Do you take any medicine as a performance enhancer? 57 43

Table 4)Comparison of different parameters between different gender(male, female).

Questions Response (%)

Male Female
Yes No Yes No
Have you overused prescription drugs? 53 47 14 86
Are drugs readily available in your community? 92 8 70 30
Does your socioeconomic status affect it? 63 37 20 80
Do you take any medicine as a performance 76 24 30 70
enhancer?

Table 5)Comparison of different parameters among the Govt and private sector.

Questions Response (%)

Govt Private
Yes No Yes No
Are drugs readily available in your community? 59 41 92 8
Do you take any medicine as a performance 40 60 75 25
enhancer?

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Table 6)Comparison of different parameters among the different age groups.
Questions Response (%)
Age
17-19 19-22 22-25
Yes No Yes No Yes No
Do you take any medicine as a performance 17 83 51 49 47 53
enhancer?
Have you overused prescription drugs? 27 73 67 33 72 28

5. Result:-
Our exploratory survey about drug abuse from different universities has given many acceptable
results. According to this survey, out of 500 students, 60% of students admitted that their
socioeconomic status seriously affected their drug abuse. The percentage of drug abuse is
higher in males as compared to females. About 57% of students take a performance enhancer.
The use of performance enhancers is higher in males as compared to females. The percentage
of excessive use of drugs is 83%. About 72% age group of 22-25 years abuse drugs. According to
our research study, about 83% of students of the private sector abuse more drugs as compared
to the Government sector.
Substance abuse and the use of alcohol are the primary dilemmas of today's health issues
among the 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 an aid in academic efficiency and recreation. The 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 primary reason for
the drug abuse that we have interpreted from the above survey is the easy access and
availability of drugs among the community. Lack of information about the drugs and overuse of
drugs is a common factor in abuse drugs among students. Peer pressure is the prime factor
among the student as compares to non- student that increases the abuse of the drug. Academic
stress was identified as a significant 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 exceedingly high expectations placed by teachers, family, and friends.
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. Another alarming predisposing factor was the
accommodation of students in hostels. Easy access to drugs in hostels made the student more
prone to this act.

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There is a perceptual experience in Pakistan about drugs and alcohol abuse being more
common and acceptable in posh families. We found that students belonging to private college
(which has a higher tuition fee) who are likely to belong to wealthier and financially stable
families had experimented more with drug abuse and alcohol.

6. Conclusion:-
The results concluded that abuse of drugs was more common in students of private institutions
due to abandoned opportunities. Male students were found more abusive than females. The
socioeconomic status of students significantly affected the chances and methods of substance
abuse.

7. Recommendations:-
1) Supply reduction:-
Anti-Narcotics Force is the leading Drug Law Enforcement Agency to check the
drug supply at international borders, sea-ports, airports, dry-ports, and
interprovincial highways. ANF is globally recognised as a leading drug law
enforcement agency in drug seizures, prosecution and money- laundering.
Sustained efforts to reduce the supply of illicit drugs and related precursor
chemicals should be made and supported nationally. The law enforcement
agencies also need to be better equipped and manned for an effective
interdiction of drugs and chemical precursors.

2) Control of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances:-

About preventing the misuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,
recommendations on understanding and reducing misuse have been made
internationally. Some of these recommendations to be implemented by
competent national authorities and other stakeholders include:
I. Establishing a medication management system that ensures that
pain medication and psychotropic substances are available to
those who need it while monitoring for and preventing possible
diversion at different levels, i.e., production, storage, health-care
(prescribing physicians and pharmacists), patients, and the
Internet.
II. Raising awareness among policymakers and clinicians, parents,
young people, and teachers on the consequences of misuse of
prescription drugs.
III. Training health-care professionals on an on-going basis on how to
prevent, recognise and manage the non-medical use of
prescription drugs and related consequences;

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3) Drug use Prevention:-
The primary objective of drug prevention is to help people avoid or delay the
initiation of the use of drugs or if they have started already to avoid developing
drug use disorders. The general aim of drug prevention, however, is much
broader in that it strives for the healthy and safe development of children and
youth to realise their talents and potential becoming contributing members of
their community and society.
Therefore, effective prevention programs are those that address these risk and
protective factors at different levels. Among the different prevention programs,
evidence suggests that programs with a focus on parenting, families, and life
skills education at different levels of children’s development, i.e., infancy, early
and middle childhood, adolescence and adulthood, and needs are more effective
than others.
These interventions could mainly be useful given the strong family networks that
exist in
Pakistan. On the other hand media campaigns, and raising public awareness, are
often the first and only interventions delivered by policymakers as prevention -
since they are highly visible and have a potential to reach a large number of
people. However, evidence suggests that these campaigns are least effective in
preventing drug use. Therefore current and future prevention programs in
Pakistan need to be designed considering the evidence of their effectiveness to
make the best use of available resources.

4) Treatment and care services:-

In order to meet the diverse needs of the population suffering from drug use
disorders, the scope and coverage of treatment and care services should be
expanded nationally and mainstreamed in the health care delivery system at
different levels and not only restricted to highly specialised residential drug
treatment services. These need to include interventions such as “Early Screening
(for substance use) and Brief Interventions”, the provision of psychosocial
treatment for opioid dependence, cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as
addressing psychiatric issues among dependent users and effective aftercare for
recovering users.

5) Monitoring and evaluation of programmes and interventions:-

Regular monitoring of drug use in Pakistan would aid policy efforts in
implementing evidence-informed programmes and interventions in the country
as well as evaluate their effectiveness. A national drug monitoring system 92
that periodically collects data on different drug use and supply regular
monitoring of drug use in Pakistan would aid policy efforts in implementing

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 evidence-informed programmes and interventions in the country as well as
evaluate their effectiveness. A national drug monitoring system that periodically
collects data on different drug use and supply.

6) Cooperation within national and international stakeholders:-

Efforts to address the drug problems including the supply of illicit drugs, as well
as a diversion from licit markets and their use will require expanded
engagement, cooperation and coordination among different national and
international stakeholders including civil society organisations. Pakistan requires
a closer connection to source and destination countries to counter trafficking of
narcotics and precursor chemicals both to and through, Pakistan.
The education and health sectors, especially at provincial and district levels,
along with civil society organisations and other service providers, need increased
support to design and implement prevention and treatment programs that are
evidence-based and consistent with international best practice.

8. Works cited:-
I. https://www.unodc.org/documents/pakistan/Survey_Report_Final_2013.pdf
II. http://pjpr.net/upload/vol1-1_vol,%20issue1%2041-47.pdf_18.pdf

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 9. Appendices:-

80

60

40
Response% Yes 0
20
Response% No 0

Figure 3)Demographic response of participated students profile:

accessive use of drug

socoeconomic status
acessability of drug
performance enhancer

Female(Yes) Female(No) Male(Yes) Male(No)

Figure 2)Comparison of different parameters between different genders (male, female).

Figure 4)Comparison of different parameters among Govt and Private sector

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Figure 5)Comparison of different parameters among different age groups.

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