Page 84 - RUFARS 2021 - Proceedings

ISSN: 2659-2029
Proceedings of the 4 Research Symposium of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
th
University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
August 26, 2021

PP 24

Does Sri Lanka Need to Reshape the Education for Substance Use
Prevention in Schools?

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1#
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Jayamaha A.R. , Dharmarathna H.H.N.D. , Ranadeva N.D.K. , Nawarathne L.C. ,
Herath H.M.N.D.M. , Buddhini D.G.H. , Samarakoon D.N.A.W. ,
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2
3
1
2
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Arachchi A.M.P.S. , Senerath S.N. , Darshana A.T. , Samarasinghe K.L.
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Senanayake B. , Welagedara L. , Fernando S.S.N.
1 Faculty of Nursing, Kaatsu International University, Sri Lanka
2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Kaatsu International University, Sri Lanka
3 Higher Education Institute Society-Linkage Cell, Kaatsu International University, Sri Lanka
4 National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Sri Lanka
5 Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

# Corresponding author: nishadi@kiu.ac.lk

Background: The age of instigating substance use has decreased globally and school children
have become more vulnerable. This is attributed to the scantiness of knowledge regarding
substance use and, its’ consequences. School-based education for substance use prevention is
appropriate and a convenient platform to access the vulnerable adolescence. Further, it will be
instrumental in empowering school children against substance use.

Objectives: To assess the influence of school education on substance use among the residential
rehabilitees.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 113 individuals with
substance use disorder who are enrolled in government and non-governmental residential drug
rehabilitation programmes. Participants were enrolled in the study using consecutive sampling.
Data such as demographics, drug use, factors associated with drug use, were collected using an
interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics due to
the descriptive nature of the study.

Results: Majority (97%) of the participants were males with the mean age of 27±6 years. All
the participants were poly drug users with a mean duration of substance use of 7±5 years. Of the
participants, 80% attended government schools and 51% educated up to ordinary levels, 28% up
to advanced levels and 10% were graduates. Most (62%) of the participants did learn about
substance use and its consequences at school and 89% attended Sunday/Dhamma (religious)
school. The mean age of instigating substance use was 17±4 years.

Conclusions: Regardless of providing awareness regarding the substance use and its’
consequences at schools and Sunday/Dhamma school, individuals instigating substance use at
school age. This reveals the need of reshaping the school-based education for substance use
prevention by both formal and informal health curricula.

Keywords: Education, Sri Lanka, Substance addiction, Young adults

Acknowledgement: Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD)
Operation of the Ministry of Higher Education funded by the World Bank (HEI DOR (R2)
No.06).

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