Investigating the Causes, Areas and Consequences of Drug Use Among Adolescents (Case study of adolescents in Ilam)

This study was to investigate the reasons of adolescent tendency to use drugs in Ilam.

This research was conducted by context theory method and purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 adolescent drug users.

In the open coding stage, 660 semantic expressions and in the axial coding, 155 concepts and 20 main categories were extracted. Results showed the role of peer group, harmful friendship, Inadequate urban environment, poor structure of socializing institutions such as the family due to history of addiction in the family, harmful parenting style, incompetent family management resulting in family disorder, educational institution through inefficient school management, the possibility of forming a band confirmed familiarity with drugs in school and tendency to addiction. Easy access to drugs, adolescent excitement, early financial independence, and a lack of proper communication skills played aggravating role in this area. The studied adolescents were used unsuccessful quitting strategies, secrecy, a criminal act in obtaining drugs, and even self-destructive decisions, which has been accompanied by consequences such as social exclusion.

As a result of the categories, "surveillance and interaction with fellow criminals" was obtained, which has led to continued consumption, inability to quit drugs and the total rejection of adolescents by the family.