The Life Situation of Drug Abusing Women and Men Street youth in Addis Ababa: The Case of Kirkos Sub city
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study focused on the risk facfors for drug abuse among street youth and its impacts
on the life of drug abusing women and men street youths. It also tried to asses the types
of drug used and associated for drug dependency. This topic was chosen as it is currently
a growing phenomenon in Ethiopia and the studies on the area are very limited.
Qualitative methodology was employed to conduct the study. Data was collectedfrom 14
women and 14 men drug abusing youths who lived in the street through in-depth
interview, focus group discussion and observation. Snowball sampling technique was
used to select women and men drug abusing street youth. The street youth were mainly
came from the parents who have low educational level and economic status and
disturbed fclmily.
For the street youth, family and peers modeling, disturbed family background, living in
the street where drug is available and curiosity for the drug is the major risk factors for
drug abuse among women and men street youth. Most of the street youth's reasons to
abuse drugs were to forget their disturhed life and to avoid the withdrawal effects of the
drug. The availability of drugs and their Fiends ' drug abusing behavior were also their
reason to keep their drug taking behavior.
The types of drug mainly used by the street youths was cigarettes, khat, marijuana and
alcoholic drinks like "tella ", "teje ", and " areke" and also beer and gin. The major
challenges experienced by the street youth as a result of drug abuse were physical,
psychological, social and economical problems and physical and sexual abuse. However
the finding of this study showed that women are the most vulnerable groups in any effect
of drug due to their gender. Finally, in line with the above problem, strong law
enforcements against drug abuse, media coverage about the issue, training for the
abusers and the whole society were given as recommendations. Building rehabilitation
center and psychiatrist treatment was also needed to address the issue.
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Keywords
Drug Abusing Women