ADDICTION AND HEALTH RELATED PROBLEMS OF STREET CHILDREN THE CASE OF ADDIS ARADA SUBCITY, CHRUCHIL ROAD

Abstract

In Ethiopia, there are so many addiction types but the visible one is Drug addiction, as it is in many other developing countries. Millions of people are affected and society is burdened financially and socially. It destroys families, harms the economy, and has a negative impact on the community as a whole. In Ethiopia, especially drug addicts of street children make up a significant fraction of the larger drug-abusing community. Although it is well understood that this is a serious problem, the true scope and magnitude of drug addiction has yet to be fully investigated. The general goal of this research is to identify and comprehend the living conditions of drug-addicts of street children in Arada sub-city at a special area of around Churchill Road. It also aims to pinpoint variables that contribute to the initiation of drug abuse, as well as the risks and health consequences of doing so.: the types of substances taken, the reasons for continuing to use drugs, and their desire to stop. To collect and analyze the relevant data, a qualitative research method was used. The depth interview included 21 males and females street children, while the focus group discussion included adolescent: 14 females and males. In-depth interviews and focus groups, as well as key informant interviews and observation techniques, were employed to collect data. To supplement the findings, individual case stories were included alongside the data. The study's findings show the hidden truth behind the drug-abusing behavior of street adolescents. Due to a lack of family finances and peer pressure, the majority of the study participants took to the streets. The study subjects abused cigarettes, alcohol, Khat, inhaling gasoline or glue, and hashish. Curiosity, parental influence, peer pressure, positive drug enforcement, drug availability, and normalization among street adolescents all encouraged them to explore drugs at first. Pleasure seeking, stress alleviation, increased physical strength, dread of withdrawal symptoms, passing the time, and resistance to cold and discomfort are the main reasons they use drugs on a daily basis. This data leads to the conclusion that drug abuse is a major problem among street adolescents, and their willingness to stop is low which also taking them to death because of their health problem. Finally, in light of the aforementioned issues, the researcher recommended that strong police enforcement against drug use, an integrated community awareness rising and prevention campaign, and the involvement of social workers in dealing with the problem. Rehabilitation institutes and psychiatrist treatment, as well as the construction of juvenile centers, were required to remedy the problem