The Social Pathology of Drug Addiction among Iranian Rural Youth: A Case Study of Villages in Ahvaz County

Tendency towards drug addiction among rural youth as a factor that contributes to the weakening of social capital of rural areas is an important issue that should be considered under the influence of the expansion of rural – urban ties and interactions and social pathology. The main issue of this paper is to examine the factors and contexts that drive the rural youth towards drug abuse and also its prevalence among them in Ahvaz county. The method of this study is survey and with a sample size 0f 500. Findings of the study suggest that orientation towards drug is relatively high. The growth of unemployment, easy access to drug, and contact with drug addicts have encouraging impacts, while the feelings of comfort, self respect, religious orientation, and family involvement proved to be preventive.