Factors Behind the Increase of Drug Addiction among Sri Lanka Army Personnel: Analytical Essay

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The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) is the oldest and biggest organization of the Sri Lankan military and established in 1949 as the Ceylon Army, modified its name when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces are the unified forces of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, including Sri Lankan Army, Sri Lankan Navy and Sri Lankan Air Force; they are managed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). These three services have approximately 276,700 incumbents who can effectively employ of war and peace both.

The SLA is attempting to get the best out of its human resources to have proper duties and feature an effective, safe, geared up-to-use military. However, individual behaviors related to the carrier and interpersonal may effect to the organization as well individually. Historically, substance abuse has been a critical problem for army soldiers around the world. Some studies have proven that military soldiers use bad substances within the trendy populace higher than their friends such as Heroin and Cannabis. Substance abuse can be an assignment to battle, self-medication of bodily problems such as ache, assuaging mental fitness troubles, and assisting to deal with trauma or worrying activities. However, illicit drug use which consisting of opium, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as non-medical use of prescription drugs has spread rapidly within the military. ( Larson et al, 2012).

The unique culture of the organization and challenges of military service make active and experienced service members for the organization. This cultural impact plays an important role in health care trends and has a major impact on mental health and drug abuse. Therefore, the impact of SLA experience on Heroin, Cannabis and other drug use, as well as drug abuse, and its impact on best practices for preventing and treating substance use disorders must be considered ( Bray et al, 2008). Furthermore, SLA being a highly organized and disciplined military organization has taken several remedial actions to overcome the drug addiction, drug abuse and to prevent the spreading of drugs related diseases in the Army while doing everything possible to uplift the image of the SLA.

Factors behind drug addiction among the Army personnel as well as the civilians need to be considered and understood. It will be the most important area to address this issue. Some researchers examined the role of stress as a risk factor and motivation for cannabis and heroin. According to their findings, cannabis and heroin are commonly used due to the job and life-related stress. Negative life events, trauma, and maladaptive were all related to consumption. Drugs use for stress-coping purposes was most evident when examining chronic as compared with experimental use. Although many individuals may be able to use drugs without consequences, there appears to be a subset of individuals who experience greater life stress and who may be more likely to use for stress-coping purposes. These individuals may be at greatest risk for addiction ( Scott, M. Rajitha, S. 2008).

Significance of the study

The deployment pressure during the war and the unique culture of the SLA explained some of the differences. Zero tolerance policies and stigma have difficulties in identifying and addressing the material use of military personnel, and the lack of confidentiality has hampered many people in need of treatment ( Wilk et al, 2014). Personnel with multiple deployments and combat exposures face the greatest risk of developing material use issues. They are more likely to engage in new weekly heavy Heroin and Cannabis, suffer from alcohol and other drug-related problems, and use more behavioral health medications. They are also more likely to start Heroin and Cannabis. Reported incidents and through the arrested military personnel on drug addiction and drug abuse revealed that always there are several factors to addiction as well as the increase of drug addiction. Moreover, SLA has started to find solutions to this matter because developing threat on drugs in civil society shows a connection with the service personnel too. Same time, the relation between drugs related crimes and military displays growing threat and future challenges. Therefore, disciplinary regulations, amendments, and legal actions have originated to address the matter. But, reporting incidents have not stopped and it has indicated significant increment as Figure 1 below (up to 28 February 2019).

SER YEAR DRUG CANNABIS HEROIN INCIDENTS PERSONNEL INCIDENTS PERSONNEL (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 1 2015 77 77 17 17 2 2016 83 88 21 21 3 2017 87 132 41 27 4 2018 115 194 38 44 5 2019 20 30 7 8 6 TOTAL 382 521 124 117

Figure 1: Source – Directorate of Provost Marshal, 2019.

Therefore, probably there should be various reasons behind this which are concealed. Hence, this study has a timely significance to address this matter.

Problem statement

Drug addicted members of the Sri Lankan Army is affecting to other segments of society and individually too. It has reported in last few years, the number of drug addicts found in SLA increased in significant even though there is tight control to prevent such activities through punishment and legal procedures of SLA. In addition, military environment like Army maintains very discipline and secure environment for their persons, but however reported numbers of drug addiction are increased in annually. This issue leads to problems like tarnish of goodwill of Army, loss of Human capital (weapon handling capable), and finally security of civil society.

Research question

a. Main Research Question.

What are the factors behind increasing addiction to drugs among the SLA?

b. Sub Research Question.

What are the solutions to prevent/reduce drug addiction within the Army?

Research objectives

As per the above research questions based their rationality, objectives of the research categorized as below;

a. The main objective of this research is to identify the factors behind increased addiction to drugs among the SLA personnel.
b. The other objective is to find out solutions to prevent/reduce drug addiction within the Army.

Literature review

Substances that are abused can cause bipolar, depression, anxiety, mental illness and other mental illnesses that require timely diagnosis and treatment and have a negative impact on the performance of service personnel. Some studies have shown that suicide rates are high, and other deaths are associated with this untreated substance use disorder. Those problems have critical outcomes that can lead to main problems in instruction, field, and bodily and intellectual health. Then again, drug abuse may also lead to small businesses which include the Army, and the organization might face difficulties to overcome this complex issue. Substance-related issues can prevent them from adapting to their task obligations. Especially because figuring out it could cause separation from the Army ( Wilk et al, 2014).

Controlling substance abuse is even more difficult in Sri Lanka because the geographical location is generating a favorable environment for the drug trafficking and related abuse. A few research estimate that there are about 0.7 million material users within Sri Lanka, which is important due to the fact service participants are decided on from these well-known populations ( Larson et al, 2012).

In this situation, an extended-time period plan for an incorporated approach to the usage of substances related by army personnel is essential. Several proof-based totally interventions were proposed as effective treatments for substance use disorders. Alternatively, going through this type of chaos in the Army requires particular concerns and even changes primarily based on military constraints and possibilities. Army forces around the arena have special complete plans to prevent, diagnose, and treat substance use issues that had been hooked up as a part of an Army health machine ( Adams et al, 2013). Widely, it has discussed on future plans to reduce the drug addiction and reasons for drug addiction, but this research will be mainly focused on investigate in to the incisive reasons for drug addiction and continues remain of drugs using while considering the effectiveness of existing legal procedures and mechanism in the Sri Lankan Army.

According to the Nick Heather (1998) definition addictions means ‘addiction…is best defined by repeated failures to refrain from drug use despite prior resolutions to do so. This definition is consistent with views of addiction that see decision-making, ambivalence and conflict as central features of the addict’s behavior and experience. On this basis, a three-level framework of required explanation is (needed) consisting of; a. The level of neuroadaptation. (Neuroadaptation refers to a process where the body compensates for a chemical’s presence in the body in order to function normally. For people who use drugs or alcohol, this neuroadaptation can lead to tolerance and dependence over time). b. The level of desire for drugs. c. The level of “akrasia” (the state of mind in which someone acts against their better judgment through weakness of will) or failures of resolve (Heather. N, 1998).

Further, according to Robert West (2008) ‘Addiction’ is a social construct which can be usefully defined as a reward-seeking behaviour that has become ‘out of control’. It can involve a wide range of abnormalities in the system of forces that energize and direct our actions – the ‘motivational system’ (Robert. W, 2008). There are numerous theories in the field of addiction. Some of them are described as theories of addiction. Examples of theories that focus on addiction as a choice are Becker’s Rational Addiction Theory (Becker and Murphy 1988) and Skog’s Choice Theory (Skog 2000). Others focus on addicts’ ‘expectancies’ (e.g. Brown, Christiansen et al. 1987). Slovic (2002) has developed a theory of judgment relating feelings to analytical judgments and applied this to smoking. There are theories that focus on attentional biases (e.g. Mogg, Field et al. 2005). A raft of theories argues that the behaviour of addiction can be understood in terms of concepts derived from economic theory (e.g. Bickel, De Grandpre et al. 1995). Theories focusing on the addict that, focus on the addict’s sense of identity (Kearney and O’Sullivan 2003). Other theories propose that addicts are self-medicating for psychological problems (e.g. Gelkopf, Levitt et al. 2002). Cloninger (1987) has proposed a theory derived from a theory of personality, thus focusing on individual susceptibility to addiction. Considering all those concepts and theories we can see most of the researchers and scholars have identified common factors for drug addiction where it may apply for SLA scenario.

Conceptual frame work

According to the discussed literature on this matter has identified a few factors which have a relationship as above mentioned. The combat exposure and the military culture members are experiencing may be an influencing factor for drug addiction. Personal isolation from his own society and the family leads to the loneliness where he needs to endure all ups and downs with an unfamiliar atmosphere most of the time. It is a susceptible factor to such addiction. Since the beginning of SLA personnel are experiencing rigorous training and facing several hardships to be appropriate within the organization and where he seeking relaxation by any means which can be unsuitable. SLA members failing to find appropriate solutions for their family issues and mental stress also may be supportive reasons for the drug addiction too.

Methodology

Research Approach

In order to meet the purpose and answer the research questions, positivistic approach will apply which can be scientifically verified or capable of logical or mathematical proof, and therefore rejecting metaphysics and theism. The research planned to conduct by means of Deductive Reasoning (Deductive Approach) and as a quantitative method survey research by using proportionate sampling method. Under the quantitative method, the questionnaire will be utilized in order to gather information and the descriptive data gathered through the interviews will be quantified finally.

Type of Research

This research will be done by using quantitative method.

Target Groups.

Drug addicted persons in SLA. a. Population. Population will be reported drug addiction cases from year 2017 to 2019. b. Sample Size. Utilizing proportionate sampling method plan to select 100 respondents of drug addicts of SLA.

Sampling Procedure.

Sampling procedure will be the Proportionate sampling. Proportionate sampling is a sampling strategy used when the population is composed of several subgroups that are vastly different in number. The number of participants from each subgroup is determined by their number relative to the entire population. Proportionate sampling gives the best chance to create a sample that is truly representative of the population. Proportionate sampling uses statistical theory to select randomly, a small group of people (sample) from an existing large population and then predict that all their responses together will match the overall population.

Data Collection Methods and Tools.

Plan to prepare a questionnaire with close ended questions and distributed to the selected respondents personally in order to protect confidentiality of respondents. Reasons to select close ended questionnaire is it generates a limited set of responses that can be coded easily in a database with some number of symbols that represents a response and due to following advantages;

a. It is easier and quicker for respondents to answer.
b. The answers of different respondents are easier to compare.
c. Answers are easier to code and statistically analyze.
d. The response choices can clarify question meaning for respondents.
e. Respondents are more likely to answer about sensitive topics.
f. There are fewer irrelevant or confused answers to questions.
g. Less articulate or less literate respondents are not at a disadvantage.
h. Replication easier.

Same time, interviews with key persons in the field will be conduct to investigate issues in a depth way and due to following reasons;

a. To discover how individuals think and feel about topic and why they hold certain opinions.
b. To deep understanding and explain statistics data.
c. To investigate the effectiveness and usefulness of particular mechanism.
d. To have strong recommendations on decision making and strategic planning.
e. To clarify ambiguities and compare findings on subject matters.
f. To obtain uninfluenced information and statistics.

Data Analysis Methods.

Plan to utilize SPSS for analysis of data gathering form questionnaire and interviews.

Research Ethics.

Since this drug addict is personal issue and punishable offence, no one willing to express their ideas openly. Hence here researcher has to ensure their confidentially and protection of data. Therefore following actions need to be taken before data collection

a. Obtaining informed consent from participants.
b. Protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of participants.
c. Avoiding deceptive practices when designing research.
d. Providing participants with the right to withdraw from the research at any time.

Limitations.

a. Military biasness and afraid to give exact details.
b. Based on time frame and information constraints, this study will possess on some limitations that must be considered.
c. There may be some cases due to security reasons, paper needs to reduce some quotes and descriptions.
d. All information will be gathered by one person (an author) and errors can be happened.

Time plan

Item 2018 2019 (a) (b) (c) Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sep Oct Issue of list of subject areas Submission of choice of titles Approval of titles Issue of CRP Assignment 1 Submission of CRP Assignment 1 Preliminary Review Conference Submission of Chapter 1 &2 Review of Chapter 1 & 2 Submission of work of Chapter 3 Submission of work of Chapter 4 Submission of work of Chapter 5 Submission of first draft Submission of final draft Submission of the Commandant’s Research Paper

Bibliography

Adams, R.S., Corrigan, J.D., Larson, M.J. (2013) Traumatic Brain injury among US Active Duty Military Personnel and Negative Drinking Related Consequences. Available at; ttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3721380/ (Accessed 8 January 2019).
Bray, R.M., Pemberton, M.R., Lane, M.E., Hourani, L.L., Mattiko, M.J.(2008).Substance use and mental health trends amongst U.S. Army active duty personnel: key findings from the 2008 DoD Health Behavior Survey. Available at; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20572470 (Accessed 10 January 2019).
Larson, M.J., Wooten, N.R., Adams, R.S., Merrick, E.L. (2012). Military Combat Deployments and Substance Use: Review and Future Directions. Available at; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321386/ (Accessed 11 January 2019).
Wilk, J.E., Bliese, P.D., Kim, P.Y., Thomas, J.L., McGurk, D., Hoge, C.W. (2014) Impact of Combat and Social Support on PTSD and Alcohol Consumption in OEF/OIF Veterans. Availableat;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC 4111153/(Accessed 10 January 2019).
Robert, W. (2006). Outline of a synthetic theory of addiction, University College London and Cancer Research UK, 1-4 f. Scott, M. Rajitha, S. (2008). Stress-Related Factors in Cannabis Use and Misuse: Implications. For Prevention and Treatment, [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696937/ [Accessed 13 Marche 2019]

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