THE LEVEL OF VULNERABILITY OF MALE HIGH

SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS ILLEGAL DRUGS:

ITS FACTORS AND SOLUTIONS

Arvin Clyde D. Crisme

Lawrence Andrei R. Sanchez
Jazmin Rozelle C. Erice
Chaellie Angelie D. Miranda
Ma. Ellyza Andrea J. Ona
Shanley Carmela Mikaela R. Sandoval

March, 2016

CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION
The use of illegal drugs is rampant around the world, and
it is rampant not only in adults but also in teenagers, especially
male high school students, who are more prone to influence,
such as from people around them and from the media.
Emotional instability and other internal factors such as
depression and severe stress may also lead these high school
students to use drugs. This research was intended to study the
level of vulnerability of male high school students to illegal
drugs, its factors and solutions.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study determined the factors and the solutions of illegal
drug use of male high school students. The research also
determined and answered the following questions:
1. What are the common factors leading male high school
students to illegal drug use?
2. What are the preventive measures to stop male high
school students from engaging in illegal drug use?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Individuals aside from the youth will also benefit from reading
the study such as:
Researchers who will conduct further research will benefit
from the study as it may be the foundation for following and
further research into the topic.
Students will be aware of the dangers of drugs, especially
those in secondary and tertiary education.
The study can help family and family members know if
male members of the family are exhibiting symptoms of drug
addiction and help fellow members cope with drug addiction
and any mental illness that may come as a side effect.
Lastly, medical professionals and practitioners, such
as psychologists, therapists, and counsellors, who are always
exposed to drug addicts, alcoholics, and people afflicted with
depression,

will

benefit

from

the

study.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The study determined the level of vulnerability of male
high school students to the usage of illegal drugs, its factors
and solutions. It covered how susceptible male high school
students ranging from ages 13-17 are to illegal drug use
through the help of professionals from different medical
establishments.

The research was limited to a number of 60 respondents

from different medical establishments such as Atlas Medical
Center, Al Esraa Polyclinic, Qatar Petroleum Medical Center,
and Al Safa Polyclinic, as well as 60 male high school students
from Philippine International School-Qatar (PISQ). This was
due to limitations such as transportation problems, time
constraints,

lack

of

resources,

and

limited

access

to

professionals in the field of medicine in PISQ. The study

covered only the level of vulnerability of male high school
students aged 13-17 in Qatar.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms were used throughout the research. These
following terms were defined operationally. The terms defined
are as follows:
Abuse - The improper use of something; a general term
applied to the misuse of a drug. It can also mean using drugs in
forms and styles that are illegal; using drugs without
appropriate or adequate supervision; or using drugs to the point
where the taker loses control of his behavior. Generally, abuse
is the use of a substance in a way that both mental and
physical health may be impaired.

Depression - Depression is a mood or state of despondency

which, in normal individuals, is characterized by feelings of
inadequacy, pessimism, (particularly about the future) and
lowered activity. In pathological cases, depression is an
extreme state of unresponsiveness to stimuli, along with
feelings of hopelessness, delusions of inadequacy, and selfdepreciation.
Illicit Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
Peer Pressure - The strong influence of a group, especially of
children, on members of that group to behave as everyone else
does.
Self-Control The ability to control oneself, in particular ones
emotions and desires, especially in difficult situations.
Vulnerability The quality of being easily hurt or attacked; the
inability to withstand the effects of a hostile environment.

CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
National Household Survey (NHSDA) and the Monitoring
the Future (MTF) study report a greater occurrence of illicit
substance use among males than among female. According to
the 1997 NHSDA survey, men reported a higher rate of illicit
substance abuse than women, 8.5% to 4.5%. Men report
higher rates of cocaine use (0.9% versus 0.5%), alcohol use
(23% versus 8%), and heavy drinking (8.7% versus 2.1%). The
same pattern was observed in marijuana use by the Office of
Applied Studies (OAS). Males also use all illicit drugs at a
higher frequency and in larger amounts than females.
According to the National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse at Columbia University in their report entitled,
Adolescent Substance Abuse: Americas #1 Public Health
Problem, Teen users are at significantly higher risk of
developing an addictive disorder compared to adults, and the
earlier they began using it, the higher their risk. 9 out 10 people
who meet the clinical criteria [] began smoking, drinking or
using other drugs before they turned 18. People who begin
using any addictive substance before age 15 are six and a half
times as likely to develop a substance use disorder as those
who delay use until age 21 or older (28.1% vs. 4.3%)

According

to

Johnston,

OMalley,

Bachman,

and

Schulenberg (2013) in their study Monitoring the Future

National Results on Adolescent Drug Use: Overview Key
Findings, People are most likely to begin abusing drugs
including tobacco, alcohol, and illegal and prescription drugs
during adolescence and young adulthood. By the time they are
seniors, almost 70% of high school students will have tried
alcohol, half will have taken an illegal drug, nearly 40% will
have smoked a cigarette, and more than 20% will have used a
prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose. [] Adolescents
are biologically wired to seek new experiences and take risks,
as well as to carve out their own identity. Trying drugs may
fulfill all of these normal developmental drives, but in an
unhealthy

way

that

can

have

very

serious

long-term

consequences.
Teenagers are also more susceptible to drug abuse when
they are exposed at a younger age, as said by Steinburg, L. in
his book You and Your Adolescent: The Essential Guide for
Ages 10 to 25, quoting: The teen brain is a work in progress,
making it more vulnerable than the mature brain to the physical
effects of drugs. The potential for developing substance abuse
and dependence is substantially greater when an individuals

first exposure to alcohol, nicotine and illicit drugs occurs during

adolescence than in adulthood.

RESEARCH PARADIGM
The research paradigm, which is the roadmap of the
study, showed the input or the questions the researchers
needed to answer, the process on how the researchers did the
study to gather data, and the output which will show the results
as shown below:
INPUT

PROCESS

The research aimed to

determine:

What

are

Survey-

questionnaires

preventive

are

measures

distributed

to

leading

professionals

of

school

and male high

school students

to

school students.

male

students

medical

against drug use

male

high

Factors

that

illegal drug use?

affect

the

What

vulnerability

are

the

preventive
measures

male
to

in

engaging

illegal

high

to illegal drugs

school students
from

of

school students

stop male high

Factors
the

drug

and

solutions

of illegal drug

use?

Proposed

common factors
high

the

OUTPUT

use of male
8

high

school

students

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The Level of
Vulnerability of Male
High School Students
towards Illegal Drugs:
Its Factors and
Solutions
Factors

Solutions

Peer Pressure

Curiosity

Self-control

Acceptance of
oneself

Lack of attention

Ignorance

Proper guidance
& attention

Joining extracurricular
activities

Rebellion

To cope with
stress/mental
illnesses

Give awareness
and educate
students

Influence of a
family member

Academic
problems

Strained/Broken
relationships

The conceptual framework showed the factors and

solutions toward illegal drug use which were given by the
researchers. The factors that the researchers had given were
peer pressure, curiosity, lack of attention, ignorance, rebellion,
to cope with stress/mental illnesses, influence of a family
member, academic problems and strained/broken relationships.
The researchers had also given solutions toward illegal drug
usage which include self-control, acceptance of one's self,
proper guidance and attention, encouraging students to join
extracurricular activities and giving awareness and education
students about illegal drugs. The study showed which of the
following factors was the main cause for drug addiction and
which was the best solution to solve and prevent it.

10

CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
The study was conducted using the descriptive-analytic
research design. The study described the research of the topic
using resources from books, articles and other related research
papers and studies. The study also illustrated and analyzed the
level of vulnerability of male high school students towards
illegal drugs, its factors and solutions.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
The research team used the convenience sampling
method to gather the respondents involved in the medical field,
and stratified random sampling for the male high school
students. Below were the calculations done to gather the male
high school student respondents from Philippine International
School - Qatar:
129 / 425 = 30.35% (percentage of the population that Grade 7
occupies)
113 / 425 = 26.59% (percentage of the population that Grade 8
occupies)
94 / 425 = 22.12% (percentage of the population that Grade 9
occupies)

11

89 / 425 = 20.94% (percentage of the population that Grade 10

occupies)
*60 is the quota to be reached to get the total number of
respondents for male high school students
30.35% x 60 = 18.21 = 18
26.59% x 60 = 15.95 = 16
22.12% x 60 = 13.27 = 13
20.94% x 60 = 12.56 = 13

RESPONDENTS
The respondents were medical practitioners and other
professionals of Atlas Medical Center, Al Esraa Polyclinic,
Qatar Petroleum Medical Center, and Al Safa Polyclinic as well
as nurses and guidance counsellors of Philippine International
School Qatar (PISQ), and male high school students in PISQ.
60 respondents were from medical establishments and another
60 respondents were from the male high school students of
PISQ which gave a total of 120 respondents.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
The instruments used to conduct the study were survey
questionnaires to interpret the data needed in the study. The
survey questionnaires were aimed to collect the data relevant

12

to the level of vulnerability of male high school students to

illegal drugs, its factors and solutions.

STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA

In order to organize and interpret the data gathered from
the survey questionnaires, the researchers tallied the data
using the mean statistic and percentage to calculate the
dominant answers and its average per question.

13

CHAPTER 4
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
OF DATA
In this chapter, the data collected through the survey
questionnaires given to medical practitioners and professionals
of Atlas Medical Center, Al Esraa Polyclinic, Qatar Petroleum
Medical Center, and Al Safa Polyclinic, Philippine International
School Qatar (PISQ) school staff, and male high school
students of PISQ regarding the level of vulnerability of male
high school students to illegal drugs were presented and
interpreted.
The subsequent charts showed the comparison results of
the survey given to the studys 120 respondents and its
corresponding interpretation.

14

Comparison Between the Perception of

Medical Practitioners and Male High School
Students of Philippine International School Qatar to Illegal Drug Use of Male High
School Students
Male High School Students
Medical Practitioners/Professionals
Male high school students are
vulnerable to illegal drug use

28

52

Male high school students are prone

to peer pressure

40

Peer pressure is a cause of illegal

drug use

56

28

Male high school students take drugs

in order to cope with stress

50

29
26

Male high school students take drugs

in order to cope with mental illness

30
31

Ignorance/misinformation is a cause

40

53

Lack of attention from family is a

cause

49

Male high school students take drugs

in order to fit in

19

28

Rebellion is a cause of illegal drug use

41

Male high school students take drugs

because of curiosity

54

42

Male high school students take drugs

to feel "grown-up"

30

59

41

Male high school students take drugs

because of the influence of family

39

Male high school students take drugs

because of too much freedom

35
0

10

Chart 4.1

56

15

20

30

52
45
40

50

60

Chart 4.1 summarized the comparison between the perception

of medical practitioners/professionals and male high school
students of Philippine International School Qatar (PISQ)
towards the level of vulnerability of male high school students
to illegal drug use.

Comparison Between the Ranking of

Causes of Illegal Drug Use Among Male
High School Students as Perceived by
Medical Practitioners and Male High School
Students of Philippine International School Qatar
Medical Practitioners/Professionals
Male High School Students
9
8
7

6
5

2
1

Chart 4.2

16

Chart 4.2 summarized the comparison between the ranking of

the causes of illegal drug use among male high school students
as perceived by medical practitioners/professionals and by
male high school students of Philippine International School
Qatar (PISQ). According to medical practitioners/professionals
and male high school students of PISQ, peer pressure,
curiosity, and lack of attention/guidance of parents/relatives are
the main causes of illegal drug use by male high school
students.

Comparison Between The Ranking Of

Solutions To Illegal Drug Use Of Male High
School Students As Perceived By Medical
Practitioners And Male High School
Students Of Philippine International School
- Qatar
Male High School Students
Medical Practitioners/Professionals
3

4
5

5
1
3

4
2
2
1
0

17

Chart 4.3
Chart 4.3 summarized the comparison between the ranking of
solutions to solve the illegal drug use among male high school
students as perceived by medical practitioners/professionals
and by male high school students of Philippine International
School

Qatar

(PISQ).

According

to

medical

practitioners/professionals and male high school students of

PISQ, proper guidance and attention of parents and relatives is
the main solution to the illegal drug use of male high school
students, along with acceptance of oneself and self-control.

Comparison Between the Level of

Vulnerability of Male High School Students
to Illegal Drug Use as Perceived by Medical
Practitioners and Male High School
Students of Philippine International School Qatar
Male High School Students
Medical Practitioners/Professionals
4
3
1
3

2
1

Highly Vulnerable to
Moderately
Slightly Vulnerable to
Illegal Drug Use
Vulnerable to Illegal
Illegal Drug Use
Drug Use

Chart 4.4

18

Not Vulnerable to
Illegal Drug Use

Chart 4.4 summarized the comparison between the level of

vulnerability of male high school students to illegal drug use as
perceived by medical practitioners/professionals and by male
high school students of Philippine International School Qatar
(PISQ). According to medical practitioners/professionals, male
high school students are moderately vulnerable to drug use.
However, according to male high school students of PISQ,
male high school students are slightly vulnerable to drug use.

19

CHAPTER 5
SUMMARY, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION
This

chapter

contained

the

findings,

summary,

and

recommendation for the factors and solutions concerning the

problem discussed in this research.

SUMMARY
According to the findings of the study, the summary is as
follows:
1. The respondents agree that most male high school
students are drawn to drugs mostly because of their
curiosity, which is the most prominent cause of drug
addiction.
2. According to the respondents involved in the study, male
high school students are least likely to resort to drugs to
cope with stress.
3. According to the respondents involved in the study, peer
pressure is ranked as the main cause of illegal drug use of
male high school students.
4. According to the results of the survey conducted by the
researchers,

lack

of attention

from

ones

parents,

guardians, or loved ones may lead one to seek respite in

the usage of illegal drugs.

20

5. Most causes of illegal drug use are influenced by the

people around the person in question, such as parents,
relatives, and friends. Therefore, ones environment can
influence ones views and decisions about drugs.

RECOMMENDATIONS
After the meticulous collection and analysis of relevant
data, the following recommendations were formed by the
researchers:
1. The researchers recommended that parents/guardians
keep a lookout for any symptoms of emotional distress in
their son. It is necessary to subject the child to counselling
once symptoms start to show, since depression is a
common cause of drug usage.
2. Another recommendation is that parents should keep a
close eye on who their son befriends and how his friends
act around their son. If the parents suspect a friend who
acts suspiciously around their son, and if they suspect that
a friends negative behavior has influenced their sons,
they should talk their son into staying away from the friend
in question to avoid forming bad habits that may develop
into vices.
3. If a child feels like he is undergoing stress, anxiety,
depression, or any other mental illness, feels that he is in
an environment that he is uncomfortable with, or is

21

trapped with toxic people in his life, he should approach

his parents to help them understand what he is going
through. He may also talk to the guidance counselor of his
school, who may provide him with unbiased opinions from
a professionals standpoint.
4. Self-control should be practiced by male high school
students. At their age, they know what is right and what is
wrong. As high school students, they should be focusing
on their studies first instead of engaging in illegal drug
use. Furthermore, using drugs is illegal in several
countries including Qatar. Not only does the usage of
illegal drugs affect your overall behavior, personality, and
academic standing, it also carries a heavy fine and a hefty
punishment.
5. Giving awareness and educating male high school
students of the causes/factors, effects and risks of
engaging in illegal drug usage is a must for every home
and school. The researchers suggest that schools should
organize and conduct an annual seminar-workshop to
properly educate the students. This should be conducted
by professionals who are knowledgeable about the topic
and has sufficient background to be able to provide such
information to the students.

22

BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS:
O'Brien, Robert and Sidney Cohen. The Encyclopedia of Drug
Abuse. 1st Edition. New York: Facts on File, 1984.
Steinburg, L. Distinguished University Professor and Laura H.
Carnell

Professor

of

Psychology,

Department

of

Psychology, Temple University. You and Your Adolescent:

The Essential Guide for Ages 10 to 25. Personal
Communication, June 9, 2011.

REPORTS:
Adolescent Substance Use: America's #1 Public Health
Problem. Columbia University. 633 Third Avenue, New
York: CASA Columbia, 2011.
Johnston, L.D, et al. Monitoring the Future National Results on
Adolescent

Drug

Use:

Overview

of

Key

Findings.

Bethesda: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2013.

WEBSITES:
Adolescents - Basic Data - Prevalence, Trends, Perception.
n.d.

2016.

<http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Adolescents#sthash.rL
N0flA0.42CsvgPc.dpbs>.
Principles of Adolescent Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment:
A

Research-Based

Guide.
23

January

2014.

<https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principlesadolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-researchbased-guide/introduction>.
Study Finds Men More Likely Than Women to Develop
Substance

Use

Disorders.

22

August

2011.

<http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/study-finds-menmore-likely-than-women-to-develop-substance-usedisorders/>.

24