A STUDY ON THE DRUG ABUSE SITUATION AMONG SIX DIFFERENT PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF DHAKA CITY

Drug abuse refers to the use of prescribed or over the counter drugs in excess of the directions and any non-medical use of drugs. The objectives of this study were to identify various drugs used by students, the prevalence of such practices and the factors that influence in university students to use drugs. The study was conducted in the six universities of Dhaka with a total of 300 students. Relevant data were obtained using a questionnaire designed for conducting university surveys on drug abuse. Students most widely used gastrointestinal drugs (93%), painkillers (87%) and among the over the counter drugs paracetamol (87%), ranitidine (70%) and in case of prescribed drugs paracetamol (93.33%), diclofenac (41.61%). paracetamol and caffeine in combination (33.33%). The prevalence of drug abused is more in lower middle class (54%). The more showed sign and symptom was pain mainly headache &migraine (60%).The drugs were used mostly anytime and mainly by oral route of administration. There was a high frequency of psychotropic drug use among the students with caffeine being the most widely used. Drug use by the youths could be attributed to psychosocial perceptions of self need and peer influence. Keywords: Drug abuse, Dhaka city, University students, Addiction, Narcotics, Stimulants