Abstract:
A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out to describe the facilities available in the
rehabilitation centers for Drug Addicts (RCDA) in the Galle District; to describe socio
demographic characteristics of drug addicts and details of their drug abuse and
rehabilitation. level of satisfaction among the drug addicts regarding some of the facilities
available in RCDA also studied. Study was carried out among all the drug addicts admitted
to RCDA in Galle District during a period of 3 months from 01/September/ 2004 to
30/November/2004. Out of 385 drug addicts admitted to RCDA in the Galle District during
the study period, 381 addicts (99 percent) participated in the study. 99 percent of the drug
addicts were males. Large proportions of addicts (44.9 percent) belong to the 31 - 40 years
age group, followed by 21 - 30 years age group. 74 was Sinhalese while Burgher's (4.5
percent) were observed to be over represented. Majorities (55.9 percent) were Buddhists,
but Catholics (33.6 percent) were observed to be over represented. Majority of the drug
addicts (63.3 percent) belong to the educational category GCE (O/L) or above. Majority of
the drug addicts (70.1 percent) started drug abuse during 10-20 years of age. 54.1 percent of
addicts attracted heroin as their first drug of abuse. Less than 1 percent of addicts used
intravenous route. There was a significant association between the reasons for drug abuse
and mean starting age of drug abuse (P0.001). A statistically significant association was
seen. there is no significant association between the mean expenditure and social class or
mean expenditure with urban rural difference. There was a statistically significant
association between monthly income and expenditure for drugs (p0.001). 44.9 percent of
addicts in RCDA were first admissions and 55.1 percent were readmissions. There is a
statistically significant association between mean period of drug addiction and first
admission and readmission status (P0.001). There is no statistically significant association
between number of admissions and the period of abstinence. High proportion of addicts in
RCDA managed by NDDCB was satisfied with the facilities compared to those in NJAHS
managed centers (P0.001)
