DRUGS RELATED BEHAVIOURS OF INMATES COMMITTED TO DRUG OFFENCES OF KHON KAEN CENTRAL PRISON

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study were 1) to describe using and trafficking behaviour of inmates, and 2) to explore their motives. Inmates who committed methamphetamine offences were recruited. 12 inmates of both sexes were given permission and willing to participate during June-September 2013. Data was collected by in-depth interview in organised private setting in the prison. Content analysis was used to analysed the data.

Age first use of the inmates were around 13 years old with methamphetamine pills from peers. The significant affecting factors were stress released, refreshing, mood adjustment, sarcasm, peer influences, and curiosity. In 3-6 months after the onset, they became regular users increasing in terms of amount and frequencies. They used it by smoking and swallowing in various places like school, home, restaurant, and entertainment places. Drug exchanging could be seen among users group. As a result, some users became distributors. Drugs could easily spread through peers network with various marketing strategies (direct sell, increased trading volume, allowed more credit). The need of money, groups norm acceptance, challenging, and power were their motives in becoming traffickers. Quite a few inmates wanted to stay in this career since it could get huge money in a short period of times.