Original Article
In India, school-going adolescents are primarily vulnerable to developing addictive behavior. Issues like their attitudes and knowledge towards psychoactive substances and their usage can significantly persuade or dissuade them from this behavior. This survey was conducted on 540 school-going adolescents to determine their knowledge (i.e., what they know), attitude (i.e., what they believe), and practice (i.e., what they do) regarding substance addiction. A survey of 540 students was conducted in five schools in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Five sensitization programs were conducted at those five schools to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice on substance addiction. The institute’s mental health teams organized a two-and-a-half-hour sensitization program. Students were given a bilingual (in Hindi and English) questionnaire before the sensitization program. Students were asked to submit the filled-up questionnaire at the end of the sensitization programs. A majority of adolescents believe that substance abuse harms family relationships, finances, the family environment, childcare, and the family’s social status. The majority of adolescents also believe addictions can be prevented and treated. Also, they emphasized that people with an addiction should be supported and treated with compassion. They were familiar with psychoactive substances and their patterns of use. Girls attributed addiction to health factors, while boys attributed addiction to environmental factors. The adolescents from private schools better understood substance abuse than those from public schools. School-going adolescents have been found to have some knowledge about addiction and a positive attitude towards addicted people. School type and gender can significantly impact adolescents’ knowledge, attitude, and practice about substance abuse.
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