Characteristics of Children and Young Adults Receiving Treatment for Addictive Substance Use in Tak Province, 2010-2012

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine characteristics of persons 12-24 years old who received treatment for addictive substance use in public health care centers in Tak province during 2009-2012. Records of addictive substance treatment in the study subjects from the national surveillance system were reviewed and

summarized. The subjects were categorized by age into the 12-17 and 18-24 year groups. Of 4,380 persons receiving treatment during 2009-2012, 1,678 (38.3 %) were those 12-24 years old including 453 (10.3 %) aged 12-17 years and 1,225 (28.0 %) aged 18-24 years. The majority of both groups were male, Buddhist and Thai.

The 12-17 year group had higher proportions of single and idle than the 18-24 year group. The proportion with parents having good relationship was higher in the 12-17 group (70.0 %) than the 18-24 group (67.5 %). Curiosity was the mostly cited reason for first addictive substance use (64.7 % in the 12-17 group and 59.6 % in

the 18-24 group) followed by invitation by a friend (30.7 % in the 12-17 group and 33.5 % in the 18-24 group). Amphetamine was the mostly cited substance for use in both groups (84.5 % % in the 12-17 group and 85.6 % in the 18-24 group). The proportion who used volatile substance was higher in the 12-17 group (7.7 %) than the 18 -24 group (2.7 %). Treatment among the 12-17 group was voluntary (57.6 %) more than compulsory (42.4 %) whereas treatment among the 18-24 group was compulsory (57.5 %) more than voluntary (33.2 %). About 48.7 % in the 12-17 group and 42.2 % in the 18-24 group could stop substance use until the end of treatment. About 4.0% of both groups dropped out during treatment. This study presents the problems of addictive substance use in children and young adults, and indicates appropriate preventive measures.