Reported Reasons for Initiating Drug Use among Drug-Dependent Adolescents and Youths in Yunnan, China

Abstract

Background: As an entry point for illicit drug trafficking, Yunnan was hit hard by the twin epidemics of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. There are no empirical studies regarding the reasons for initiation of drug use in Yunnan. Objectives: The study investigated the reasons for initiating drug use in drug-dependent adolescents and youths in five regions in Yunnan. Methods: The data were collected in 2004–2005 from a stratified random sample of 467 registered drug addicts under age 25. Pearson chi-square tests were used to analyze the association of reasons for drug use with sociodemographic factors, knowledge of drug related harm, and access to illicit drugs. Results: Curiosity was the most commonly reported reason for initiating drug use and the majority of the respondents reported having little or no knowledge of drug-related harm. The majority of the drug abusers initiated drug use at the age of 13–14 years or younger. Conclusions: There is a potential for sustained educational programs to reduce the high prevalence of adolescent drug use in Yunnan. Scientific Significance: This is the first empirical study that has investigated reasons for initiating drug use based on a random sample of registered drug users in a high risk province of China.

Keywords :

• Adolescent and youth
• China
• illicit drug abuse
• Yunnan

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We sincerely thank the Drug Control Division of the Police Department and Detoxification Centres at the district, county, municipal, and regional levels in Kunming, Dali, Baoshan, Dehong, and Wenshan for their support and assistance with the study. Finally, we thank the participants in the study for their time and patience. The views expressed in this paper are solely the authors’ opinions.