Drug use and its perceived effects on small scale mine labourers in Asutifi north district of the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana.

Abstract

There is wide spread perception of drug use by small scale miners in their activities. The problems of drug use and its impact on an individual have been noted in most drug research works. In Ghana, drug research studies over the years have concentrated on second cycle institutions, certain communities and institutions. This study sought to describe the nature of drug use and the perceived effects of the drugs on small scale mine labourers of Asutifi North District of Brong-Ahafo Region. To achieve this purpose, Snowball sampling technique was selected as the best sampling technique considering the dispersed and difficult nature of small scale mine labourers in their locations. A sample size of 120 small scale mine labourers was selected for participation. The findings revealed that drug use among small scale mine labourers was very frequent with marijuana being the most frequently used drug. The study further revealed that the drugs were obtained from their immediate surrounding mine shops and drug peddlers at the mining sites and the cost of the drugs was relatively low. Additionally, multiple reasons were found to be attributed to the use of the drugs rather than a single reason. Finally, perceptions held by the small scale mine labourers on the effects of drug use on their health, work, family and friends were generally negative. There is the need for drug educators to direct their attention to this sector of the population of which most are the youth and educate them on mainly the long term effects of drug use on an individual.