Background

World Vision International Nepal (WVI Nepal) is an organization focused on child relief, development, and advocacy, working since 2001 to improve the lives of vulnerable people and disaster-affected communities in Nepal. They partner with local communities, civil societies, government, and the private sector to implement multi-sectoral programs. WVI Nepal operates long-term development programs in various districts across six provinces of Nepal, excluding Lumbini Province. These programs include Nutrition Resilience & Livelihood (NRL), Inclusive Quality Education (IQE), and Protection and Community Engagement Sponsorship Programming (PCESP).

The Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act 1976 of Nepal defines narcotic substances and categorizes them into depressants, hallucinogens, and stimulants. Substance abuse, or drug abuse, is the harmful use of substances that affect the user’s mind and body, posing both personal and societal issues. Nepal, like many places, faces increasing cases of substance abuse.

During the May 2023 mid-term review of the National Strategy of World Vision International Nepal, it was highlighted that substance abuse among adolescents and children, particularly in the Terai region, has significantly increased. District police offices in Terai-based districts like Sarlahi, Mahottari, and Kailali have reported a rising trend of substance abuse among adolescents and youth. Local government representatives have expressed serious concerns about preventing and addressing substance abuse among children and youth at the community level.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal, substance and drug users have notably increased over two decades, starting from 2005 (2063 BS). Reported drug abuser cases were 46,309 in 2005 and had approximately tripled to 130,424 in 2019. The Nepal Drug Users Survey 2019 indicates that Bagmati Province, Lumbini Province, Koshi Province, and Madhesh Province have the highest number of drug users.

In Nepal, young boys and girls engage in drug usage for various reasons, leading to tragic consequences. Drug abuse poses significant health problems at the personal level, affecting families and communities. While herbal drugs like cannabis and locally produced alcohol were once common and culturally accepted, the nature of substances consumed has shifted towards chemical compounds in recent decades.

The onset of drug use often occurs during adolescence, typically between ages 12 and 25. Peer pressure, curiosity, and lack of awareness contribute to youth falling into drug addiction. Therefore, raising public awareness and organizing educational programs in schools and colleges about the dangers of drug addiction and its side effects is imperative.

Main Objective

• To assess the prevalence, root causes and consequences of drug abuse and hence to identify pattern and extent of drug abuse in Sarlahi, Rautahat, Lamjung, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of Nepal.

Specific Objectives

• To identify the prevalence, existing situation, and pattern of substance abuse among adolescents
• To analyze the drivers of different types of substance abuse and abusers
• To explore the impacts of substance, abuse at personal, family and community levels
• To understand the knowledge about substance, abuse among adolescents
• To identify the existing policies on drug abuse, implementation status and challenges to regulate these policies.
  

  Study Sites/ location

  This endline evaluation study will be conducted Sarlahi, Rautahat, Lamjung, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.

  Study Population and participants

  For quantitative the study population for this assessment will be the adolescent and caregivers of the households. For qualitative the study population will be families-parents, caregivers, and local stakeholders like (government officials, local leaders etc.).

  Study Duration: September 2023 to October 2023

• Study team

• Dr. Janak Thapa
• Ms. Pragya Pokharel
• Ms. Salina Thapa
• Ms. Pabitra Magar

• Study Partner: World Vision International Nepal (WVI Nepal)