A Study To Assess the Knowledge Regarding Drug Abuse and its Ill Effects among First Year Degree Students at D.R.M Science College in Davangere

Prevalence of substance abuse is high among adolescents as they are keen to experiment the drugs to fulfill their curiosity. If their experimentation could be prevented by making them aware about the abuse and its consequences, the prevalence of the substance abuse can be reduced.

Objectives:

1. To assess the knowledge regarding drug abuse among First year degree students of selected Degree College in Davangere. 2. To compare the level of knowledge with selected demographic variables. 3. To prepare and provide information booklet.

Methods:

A descriptive survey design was adopted to accomplish the objectives of the study. A sample of 40 first year degree students was selected by using simple random sampling technique. The knowledge of first year degree students on drug abuse and its ill effects was determined by administering structured questionnaire.

Results:

Findings of the study revealed that the mean percentage of knowledge score was 56.24% (mean: 14.06±3.519). There was a statistically significant association between knowledge scores and the selected demographic variables such as age, gender and occupation of father at 0.05 level of significance.

Conclusion:

From the study findings, it is revealed that first year degree students had average knowledge regarding drug abuse and its ill effects. Hence there is great need to impart awareness among degree students.