Abstract
This study aims to achieve four main objectives: first, to compare the behaviors of drug
and cannabis users, acquisition channel, use patterns, awareness of drawbacks and benefits
associated with cannabis use, and the attitudes of secondary school students and out-of-school
adolescents towards cannabis consumption; second, to analyze the Casual Factor Model
influencing drug and cannabis use behavior among secondary school students and out-of-school
adolescents; third, to investigate and obtain a comprehensive understanding of causes and
behaviors of adolescent cannabis users both secondary school students and out-of-school
adolescents in several perspectives: background, causes, processes and effects regarding
behavioral sciences; and fourth, to propose preventive guidelines for cannabis consumption
behavior for secondary school and out-of-school adolescents.
This study was undertaken by using Mixed Method Research with Explanatory
Sequential Design for research methodologies. The operation time frame of this study can be
divided into two phases: quantitative and qualitative data collection. The first phase was
operated by using 10,583 samples of students from five groups: grade 7th, grade 9th, grade 11th,
vocational college level, and out-of-school adolescents. The collected samples were used to
survey the situation of adolescent behavior regarding cannabis and drug use. The second
phase was undertaken by qualitative data collection obtained from 29 adolescents in Bangkok,
Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, and Uthaithanee provinces. Another qualitative data was obtained
from 11 people who proposed preventive measures and guidelines for cannabis consumption
behavior for secondary school and out-of-school adolescents. This study stage also undertook
a comprehensive investigation into the cannabis consumption behaviors of adolescents from
various perspectives: backgrounds, causes, consumption patterns, and the effects of cannabis
consumption in secondary school and out-of-school adolescents.
Regarding the research instruments, questionnaires and interview forms were used
for qualitative data collection. Meanwhile, fundamental statistical analysis: Frequency,
Percentage, Mean, and Standard Deviation, including t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM) were used for quantitative data analysis. Content Analysis was used
to analyze qualitative data.
The research findings can be into five main points:
1) The results of cannabis and drug use behaviors in secondary school
students and out-of-school adolescents, 10,583 samples, showed that most adolescents
have never used cannabis (70.25%). However, more than half of them used to try other kinds
of drugs (56.77%), and 39.94 percent of adolescents have never tried any kind of drug. In terms
of cannabis consumption patterns, eating food containing cannabis is a more frequently
founded pattern than other kinds of consumption (19.32%). For drug consumption patterns,
drinking alcohol is the most discovered pattern of drug use (49.90%), followed by Kratom,
tobacco products, Kratom juice, and Cocaine.
2) The comparison results between cannabis and other drug uses
It revealed that adolescents who have various education levels expressed different behaviors
in cannabis and drug use. These behaviors indicated a statistical significant association at 0.05.
3) The analytical results of the Causal Factors Model of cannabis and drug
use behaviors among secondary school students and out-of-school adolescents
The causal factors of cannabis and drug use behaviors of secondary school students and outof-school adolescents showed correspondence with the empirical data (χ2=32.29 df=14
p=.004 GFI=0.99 AGFI=0.99 CFI=0.99 RMSEA=0.01 SRMR=0.00). The cannabis and drug use
behaviors were influenced by several risk factor variables (cannabis acquisition method,
positive attitude toward cannabis use, and invitations from existing cannabis users), showing
positive influence coefficient of 0.67.
4) The comprehensive study results regarding the causes of cannabis and
drug use behaviors of secondary school students and out-of-school adolescents
The results revealed that reasons for Initial cannabis use were mainly from peer or senior
influences. The initial cannabis use was performed with an improvised device like bamboo pipe or
self-modified bottle. The cannabis consumption methods include chopped or ground
cannabis into prepared cannabis. The reason for cannabis use trial was motivated by
experimentation driven by desire and curiosity. Cannabis use negatively affects educational
outcomes, such as poor academic performance, impaired cognitive function, drowsiness,
dry throat, and muscle pain in terms of health and emotional issues, such as emotional
instability, irritability, and lack of assertiveness. When adolescents consume cannabis by any
method, it can increase feelings of joyfulness, amusement and assertiveness. Meanwhile,
the group of cannabis-abstinent adolescents provided the reasons that they were concerned
about adverse health effects and the method to refuse cannabis use is rationalization of health,
legal, and family relation concerns, including self-worth recognition, practicing non-association
with individuals who invite them to try cannabis.
5) The recommendations for preventing cannabis use behavior among secondary
school students and out-of-school adolescents
The investigators proposed solutional guidelines, categorized by the ecology of development
and target group assistance for preventing cannabis use behavior among secondary school
students and out-of-school adolescents. The presented solutions consist of frameworks
involving policy, ministerial, regional, provincial, organizational, school, community, and family levels.
These proposed guidelines, categorized by various ecology levels, lead to the exemplification
of investigators to integrate in forming “Creative Space to Empower Innovative Solutions
for Reducing Cannabis and Drug Use with Child and Adolescent Participation.” This model
will be innovation base in preventing cannabis and drug use by the participation of local
children and adolescents.
