An Analysis of the Pattern and Trend of Drug Abuse in Male Adolescents Aged 12 to 25 in Hamedan

Abuse of narcotics and illicit use of drugs is a complicated multifactorial phenomenon plaguing many societies. In this respect, drug abuse is more prevalent among adolescents than others. Other than the fact that drug use is started from a young age, the spread of drug and cigarette smoking is also much higher among the youth. This research was a descriptive-analytical research conducted on 400 samples by using snowball sampling method. After identifying drug users as the primary focus and finding new samples, data was gathered on initial drugs and current drugs being used and on factors effecting the choice of drugs and pattern of using drugs. Information was collected through risk behavior questionnaire and demographic questionnaire. The results show that Alcohol, marijuana and opium use was very high, while cocaine and LSD use was rare. Also Alcohol, marijuana and opium were the initial drugs being used and that drug use is started from ages 12 to 18. Furthermore, sensation seeking, peer pressure and individual interest were the major reasons of starting to use drugs, and sensation seeking was the main reason for changing the initial drug.