Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Substance Abuse among College Students: A Brief Review

Description

Page: 320-323

G.M. Sachetha and N. Ramya (School of Social Work, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi)

Substance abuse among adolescents and young adults is a growing public health concern worldwide, with significant implications for physical, mental, and social well-being. Adolescence, a transitional stage of human development, is characterized by a heightened tendency to experiment with new experiences, including substance use. A systematic review of literature was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO. The review covered studies from December 2023 to June 2024, focusing on keywords such as “substance abuse,” “awareness,” “college students,” “mental health,” and “prevention strategies.” The study selection followed PRISMA guidelines, resulting in the inclusion of 21 full-text articles relevant to the research objectives. The findings highlight three primary domains contributing to substance abuse among college students: (1) Personal factors, such as high impulsivity, emotional irregularity, peer pressure, and psychiatric disorders; (2) Family factors, including a history of addiction, parenting styles, family dynamics, and financial difficulties; and (3) Community factors, such as easy availability, legal permissions for certain drugs, social media influence, and cultural practices. Despite the extensive literature on adolescent substance abuse, gaps remain in understanding the interplay of knowledge, attitudes, and practices, particularly among college students in India. The study concludes that addressing substance abuse among adolescents requires a multifaceted approach involving stakeholders such as educators, healthcare professionals, families, and policymakers. Future research should focus on intervention-based studies tailored to the socio-cultural context of Indian college students to effectively mitigate the growing trend of substance abuse.