Substance abuse at the municipal level: Perspective for social change

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Illicit drug use is emerging as an important Public Health issue among Filipinos nowadays. This calls for all primary health care facilities to provide services to persons who use drugs.<br /><strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong> The study aimed to determine the socio-demographic profile of substance abuse at the municipal level.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong> This study was conducted in the Municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur with fifty (50) study participants who were identified as low to moderate risk drug users. Data gathering procedure utilized the Key Informant Interview with a structured survey questionnaire.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Results of the study showed that the majority of the drug abusers were male adults between 20-30 years of age with low educational attainment and engagement in risky and hard labored occupations. Methamphetamine was the most commonly-abused drug with curiosity and stamina at work as the major causes of drug abuse. Analysis of Variance as to extent of drug use between and among age groups indicates significant difference which strongly suggests that interventions should be responsive to the needs of the different age groups.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Drug-free community is not far if concerned efforts from all sectors of society be done to help the users become partners for social change.</p>