Sumaira Aly Sumaira
S. Sumaira1, W. L. Kliewer2. 1Humphrey Fellowship Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States; 2Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
Background: Increased prevalence of substance misuse among young adults in Gilgit-Baltistan warrants investigation of contributors to substance misuse in this age group and young adult perspectives on existing prevention practices and policies. There is little evidence regarding whether current broad-based prevention practices, which are based on the zero drug abuse goal of the Anti-Narcotics Policy in Pakistan, are effective in preventing substance misuse in high-risk populations, such as young adults.
Methods: This study will apply a mixed-methods design to identify perspectives that can inform a young adult-specific prevention policy. Students (N = 360, age range 18 to 24 years) attending Karakorum International University (KIU) will complete questionnaires online. Guided by the socio-ecological development model and SAMHSA recommendations for substance misuse prevention for young adults, questionnaires will assess risk and promotive factors from individual, relational, school, and community domains, as well as knowledge of and attitudes regarding current prevention practices in the region. Key informant surveys (N = 15) from individuals in the educational, health, law enforcement, and community sectors also will be collected on line, and results triangulated with student survey data and available literature.
Results: Findings from this study will illuminate the risk and promotive factors associated with young adult substance misuse in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as knowledge and attitudes regarding current approaches to substance misuse prevention.
Conclusion: Findings from the study have the potential to determine whether a broad-based, universal substance misuse prevention approach is effective for young adults, and to offer alternative empirically-based approaches.