Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
K Rajeswari, T Kamalaja and K Uma Maheswari

Abstract:
Worldwide and Indian surveys shows a greater prevalence of drugs use among the less educated, illiterate and rural population. Objective of the study was to assess the pattern of drug addiction in tribal population of Telangana state. The sample population was selected by systematic random sampling of households and drug users in the families were interviewed personally using a pre-structured and pretested schedule. The results revealed that drinking cum smoking is the major (53%) addicts observed in the drug addict population of both genders. The drug addictions were more prevalent in male (85.3%) population compared to female (14.7%) population. Daily use of drugs was found in the majority of the male population whereas rarely use was found in female population. The start age of drugs use was 20-24 years followed by 15 to 19 years in majority of the study population. The long term use of smoking, tobacco and alcohol was found for more than 20-24 years in majority of the population. The major type of drug use found was Pan supari, and pan with tobacco in tobacco chewers, chutta, beedi, and cigarette in smokers and local liquor and beer in alcoholics of tribal population of Telangana State.