Environmental factors contributing to the growing trend of drug use among college students in Karachi

ABSTRACT

Background

The use of drugs by students has always been a major concern for educators, and this trend is increasing particularly among college students in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the college environment, particular elements within colleges, and cultural and social activities within college communities in contributing to drug use among college students of Karachi.

Methods

Using a purposive sampling design and a mixed-method research approach, specifically the concurrent triangulation design, a sample of 100 students from 10 institutions located in various socioeconomic areas was chosen. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data during in-person interviews.

Results

Analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data were conducted to determine the environmental, cultural, and social norms that influence student drug use. The study made useful comparisons between the prevalence of drug addiction among college students in various settings, highlighted the social and environmental causes of this problem, and offered useful suggestions for effectively addressing it.

KEYWORDS:

• Drug use
• emotional factors
• psychological factors
• college environment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.