Substance Abuse Problems Prevention and Solution Model Using Community Participation, Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

This participatory action research aimed to develop the substance abuse problems prevention and solution model using community participation, Chanthaburi Province. The participants were composed of five representatives from various local authorities, eighteen community leaders, and six substance abuse leaders in Wangsapparos Sub-district, Khlung District, Chanthaburi Province. The research instruments included the learning process record form, the in-depth interview guide, the performance record form, and the field trip record form. The four steps of this research including understanding the problem and preparing the area, setting up the prevention and solution plan for substance abuse problems, implementation, and evaluation were conducted from October, 2019 to September, 2020. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

The research results revealed that the substance abuse problems prevention and solution model using community participation consisted of 1) setting up and following the prevention and solution plan for substance abuse problems using community participation; 2) designing and using the social measures for preventing and solving substance abuse problems; 3) providing the various activities in the community to fulfil the empowerment program against substance abuse; and 4) establishing the learning centers against substance abuse in the community for all community members.

This research suggests that the relevant agencies should apply this substance abuse problems prevention and solution model using community participation in an appropriate manner in order to keep the community safe from the substance abuse and promote the quality of life among the community members.