Abstract: Background: The drug problem has developed some key characteristics over the last few decades, against a backdrop of rapid socioeconomic transitions in various countries. Illicit drug use is now characterized by a concentration among youth, notably young males living in urban environments, along with expanding range of psychoactive substances.
Materials & Methods: The proposed study was carried out in slum population of Amritsar city. A total of 64 slum areas were divided into 4 sectors depending upon their location and then from each sector, one area was selected randomly by lottery method, and from each area, 400 houses were surveyed by systematic random method. So in total 1600 households were surveyed for this study.
Results: Out of the total 1273 respondents, majority i.e. 615 (48.31%) responded enjoyment as the main reason for starting drugs, while 465 (36.52%) cited curiosity as the reason for indulgence into substance abuse. Friends (peer pressure) were the primary reason i.e. 806 (63.31%) for motivating towards drugs. Out of 828 respondents, who made attempt to quit drugs, majority i.e. 431 (52.05%) faced relapse because of easy availability of drug.
Conclusion: The unjust treatment of youth and other minority subcultures is a major social problem, breeding crime, hypocrisy, anarchy and driving thousands away from meaningful participation in society. For both sides in this conflict between generations, drugs have taken on harmful symbolic importance.
