Drug use/abuse: policies and policy implementation in higher education instituties in Bangkok

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to study policies and policies implementation concerning drug use/abuse among Higher Education Institutions (HEls) in Bangkok Metropolis, to study the operational processes of policies and measures concerning drug use/abuse among HEls, to study the current situation of drug use/abuse among HE!s, and to study problems and obstacles on drug prevention among HEls. Research methodologies and activities for this research were divided into three phases (Phase I: Brainstorming seminar, Phase II: In-depth interviews, and Phase Ill: Students survey) and include both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research results are: there was not much difference in the process of operation concerning drug problems among HEls. There were no written policies and specific plans concerning drugs in most institutions. Policies concerning drug were set up by Commission of Higher Education (CHE). Most of the responsible persons know how to handle drug problems in their institution. They have enough knowledge about drugs such as the different kind of drugs, the harmful effects of each kind, etc. Some institutes report that they found only few addicts in campus. Most of the serious cases of addicts were found outside the institutes and they went to re-habilitation center themselves. The administrators . and responsible persons believed that drug problems in their institutes were not serious. Most institutes organized drug prevention activities, followed CHE 's instructions, every year as a routine.