Abstract
This research was intended to study drug abuse of the students at Prince of Songkla University Hat Yai campus, to identify factors related to such abuse, and to find possible measures for drug abuse prevention. The samples consisted of 7 associate/assistant deans for student affairs and students of all years and faculties; through stratified random sampling, 236 male students and 317 female students were selected.
It was found that 43.8% of the students had fried drugs : liquor/beer (57.4%) cigarettes (36.0%) and marijuana (0.8%). 60.8% of these students, out of curiosity, were exposed to drugs when they were in a secondary school. 78.7% of female students drank liquor/beer and 19.1% smoked cigarettes while 51.5% of male students smoked cigarettes and 48.5% drank liquor/beer, Renting a house with friends was conducive to drug abuse of male students (86.5%) whereas 86.7% of female students having tried drugs stayed in the houses of their relatives or friends. The factors affecting the students drug abuse were prioritized as follows : sensation-seeking personality, peers drug abuse, attitude toward drugs, and knowledge and understanding of drugs. Peers, teachers and parents are believed to be able to help prevent the problem of drug abuse.
Keywords : drugs, drug abuse, Prince of Songkla University, students
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