Study on Marijuana Abuse among Male Nepalese College Students in Bangalore

Over the past few years, the topic of marijuana is featured in the media. Students have an ambiguous information on the medical benefits and the torment of marijuana use. Students under minimum supervision from their guardians are among high risk groups of its abuse. The abuse of marijuana among students is associated with the cognitive impairment, adverse academic performance and the low-level satisfaction of life.

Aims: To find out the prevalence of marijuana abuse among college students staying away from their parents.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: 10 colleges from 5 wards of BBMP between February 2014 to February 2015.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey (n=250). Qualitative (interview) and quantitative (structured questionnaire) were used to collect the data about the current use of marijuana, smoking habit, perceived effect and source of supply among Nepalese students studying in Bangalore. The Current user is defined according to the CDC guideline (An adult who has smoked 100 times in his lifetime and who currently smokes marijuana.

Findings: The current prevalence of marijuana abuse among male Nepalese students in Bangalore is 36%. At least one-time usage of marijuana is 51%. Among current users, 38% are using marijuana daily. Similarly, 37% of the participants reported that local friends are the source of supply for them and 32% reported that they get marijuana from college friends. Among current users, about 58% of the users said that they don’t want to quit using marijuana.

Conclusion: It is evident from the study that marijuana use is widespread amongst Nepalese students in Bangalore. The parents whose children are away from home town should maintain a very close relationship with them, their academic supervisors, and their friends. A significant number of current users (41%) wish to quit the addiction of marijuana use, this demand an immediate need for the mental health counselor in the colleges in Bangalore.