Substance Abuse among Tribal Children at Wayanad District, Kerala

Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome-a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state (WHO). In this study the researcher focussed on the psychological and social problems faced by tribal children and the risk factors around them that led to substance abuse especially tobacco chewing. The objective of the study was to analyze the pattern of tobacco chewing, to identify the risk factors and psycho social problems faced by them which indirectly lead to substance abuse. The researcher adopted a descriptive research design. The universe of the study was paniya tribal settlement at valaramkkunu, wayanad district. Survey method was adopted for study tool for data collection. The participants were observed and subjected to interview schedule from a sample size of 50 families in paniya tribe. Major findings of the study were as follows most of the tribal children in paniya tribal settlement were addicted to tobacco chewing. It has become part of their life style. They pattern of usage is thrice in a day and sometimes even more if they were not going to school. The ratio of male and female consuming tobacco was equal. The main reason behind tobacco chewing was their custom. The parents prepared these tobacco packets and served it to their children instead of meals so that the child would not ask for food for long time. Many of them were aware about the harmful effects but unwilling to stop the usage due to peer pressure as well as it part of their culture. The researcher concluded the study by suggesting that treatment and preventive measures should be administered for the current children and assertive skill training should be imparted for the upcoming children to protect them from the risk factors of substance abuse.