Marijuana Use Behavior and Effects of Marijuana Use in Northeastern Health Service Areas

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study marijuana usage behavior and its impact among marijuana users listed in the Thai National Health Security Office's drug rehabilitation and recovery database for the northeastern region in the year 2021, with a sample of 380 individuals through systematic sampling. Data were collected by using interviews, and the analysis involved both descriptive statistics and a Kruskal-Wallis test to assess differences in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

The results of the research found that the sample group used marijuana for the first time between the ages of 15-17 years with the reason being that they wanted to try it. The most common pattern of marijuana consumption involved smoking 11-20 joints per day, alternating with using a bong 3-4 times per day, with an average duration of 8.63 years. The majority of the sample remained marijuana users, with 84.74% continuing to use. On average, the impact on health resulted in a loss of 8.06 DALYs per person. There were no statistically significant differences in health-related outcomes when comparing the DALYs with personal characteristics. The economic impact resulted in an average annual cost of 13,4555.95 Baht per person, including expenses related to rehabilitation, law enforcement, and legal proceedings, as well as accidents. The overall societal impact fell within the moderate range (mean = 1.74, S.D. = 0.58), with communities, individuals, and families being affected most significantly, in that order. This research underscores the negative consequences of marijuana use and emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address this issue in all its dimensions.