A Study of the Prevalence of Drug Use among Soldiers in the Barracks of Lorestan Province

Having sufficient information about the prevalence of drug use, types of drugs used and duration of dependence in soldiers can play an important role in preventing soldiers’ affliction with drug use and treating them. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of drug use among soldiers in the barracks in Lorestan province. The statistical population of this descriptive survey study consisted of all the soldiers in the barracks in Lorestan province, Iran. Accordingly, 400 soldiers were selected and studied as a sample using the convenience non-random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of drug use among the soldiers. The collected data were analyzed by chi-square test. The results showed that the frequency of drug use had increased significantly during military service compared to that of pre-service period. But the types of drugs used and the duration of dependence before and after the military service were not significantly different. According to the findings of the study, it is concluded that the period of sacred military service is of particular importance in the physical and mental health of young people, and paying attention to the conditions and problems of young people in this critical period can play an important role in preventing and even treating their addictive disorders.