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.