Religion and Drug Dependency: A Comparative Study of Malay Male Youth in Malaysia

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between religion and drug dependency of Malay Muslim youth. A comparison between addicts and nonaddicts were conducted. The comparison was conducted to study the degree of their religiosity, and the effect of that religiosity on their drug behavior. Other factors such as parental relationship, peer influence and personal attitudes were also looked at. The findings showed an overwhelming percentage of the addicts were ignorant to the teachings of their religion, and they took religion lightly. The addicts scored low on the religiosity scales, while the opposite was true for the nonaddicts.

Keywords:

• religion
• drug abuse
• Malay Muslim youth
• Malaysia