台北縣靜脈注射毒癮者用藥行為及心理衛生狀況初探

本研究主要目的為探討靜脈注射毒癮者之用藥行為與心理衛生狀況。於民國八十六年十一月至八十七年一月間，從台北縣21歲至66歲受保護管束藥癮者（1,229人）逐一篩選出173位靜脈注射者，利用結構式問卷進行面對面之訪談，最後，共訪得有效樣本149人；回應率為86%。研究結果發現，受訪者第一次使用毒品之年齡有九成為18歲以上，初次使用之藥物以海洛因為主（51%），且用藥行為與抽菸、喝酒、嚼檳榔皆有高度相關。第一次用藥動機以好奇心（65.1%）為主，其次為朋友引誘（16.1%）。有九成以上受訪者曾嘗試戒毒，而戒毒成功或失敗經驗之主因皆為個人心理因素。此外，受訪者較常見之困擾包括：有健康問題、覺得完全孤單及隔離，以及覺得憂鬱或喪失興趣。本研究結果將可做為推展藥物濫用防治及復健服務之參考。

This study was designed to investigate drug use patterns and mental health statuses among intravenous drug-using parolees (IDPs) living under community supervision. From a screening of 1,229 drug offenders on parole in Taipei Hsien, 173 IDPs were identified. Of this number, 149 subjects between the ages of 21 and 66 agreed to participate in structured, one-on-one interviews between November, 1997 and January, 1998. Results indicate that nearly 90% of the subjects began using drugs at age 18 or above, with heroin (51%) identified as the most common drug of initiation. Primary reasons given for initial drug use were curiosity (65.1%) and peer influence (16.1%). Drug-use behaviors were highly correlated with smoking, drinking, and betel-nut chewing. Over 90%of the subjects reported having tried to stop using drugs prior to their incarceration. Major determinants in success or failure to quit their drug habits included personal psychological factors, individual life disturbances (i.e., health problems), feelings of isolation, depression, and losing interest in daily life activities. It is hoped that the study's findings will provide useful information in planning drug enforcement activities and relapse-prevention programs for Taiwanese IDPs.