The Management of Legal Knowledge on Solving the Problem of Youth Drug Addiction: A Case Study of Thung Na Ngam Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

This research aims to study initial decisions to take drugs, causes of drug addiction, and the recognition of laws and legal process of juveniles in order to solve the problem related to substance abuse among children or youth in the area of Thung Na Ngam Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani Province.  The study was conducted with 100 children or youth currently studying in the area and 100 people living in the area. The percentage evaluation method was used. The results of this research found that children or youth addicted to drugs, such as alcohol and cigarettes, admitted to using them voluntarily. This was caused by the environment or community they lived had children or youth under 18 drinking or smoking in public places. However, in the area, there were still people who smoked or drank alcohol in public places that had not been managed by government agencies. That was because there was no law stipulating that the act was an offence. As a result, children or youth learned that such actions could be done and imitated leading to the emergence of new addicts. In order to prevent the problem of youth drug addiction, one of the causes of crime, in the area of Thung Na Ngam Subdistrict Administrative Organization, there should be a strict control policy. Public places should be drug-free zones by stipulating rules that violations are punishable by law. And there should be determination of punishment for those under the age of 18.