The Development of Surveillance System for Drug Selling in Grocery stores at Nangua Sub-district, Nawa District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

Purposes: To study the situation of drug selling in grocery stores, develop a surveillance system, and evaluate implementation outcomes.  

Study design: Participatory Action Research (PAR).

Materials and Methods: The key informants consisted of 30 network partners and 43 grocery store entrepreneurs (one from each store). The study was conducted through a cycle of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Paired Sample t-test, with statistical significance set at p<.05. Qualitative data were analyzed via content analysis.

Main findings: Before implementation, 51.16% of stores were found selling prohibited drugs. The developed surveillance system comprised three main components: 1) working committee, 2) community cooperation, and 3) law enforcement, implemented in three phases: preparation, implementation, and monitoring-evaluation. After implementation, prohibited drug selling in grocery stores decreased to 9.30%, and operators' knowledge increased significantly (p < .001).

Conclusion and recommendations: The participatory process was effective in reducing illegal drug sales and increasing operators' knowledge and awareness. This surveillance model can be adapted for use in other communities by adjusting it to local contexts.