Analyzing the reasons for students' substance use from the perspective of experts

Introduction: One of the problem that has always occupied the minds of policymakers, families, and researchers in the field of social sciences is drug abuse. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the causes of drug abuse among Students from the perspective of experts using grounded theory. Method: The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach, and grounded theory. The participants were 35 experts in the fields of social sciences and psychology, school counselors, teachers, and officials of non-governmental organizations. Findings: The categories extracted from the interviews of the participants in this study indicate that the fragility of the family institution, insecure family environment, deficiencies in life skills, unfavorable livelihood situation, release from the routine of life as causal conditions, the isolation of the public sphere, hopelessness about the future, and a sense of social inequality as intervening conditions, Neglect of education in the family and school, cultural poverty, incomplete socialization and changes in values are the underlying conditions in drug abuse among students. Participants considered prevention based on the students’ environment, prevention with student participation and attention to active leisure as strategies to combat drug abuse. The central theme from the interviews was that abuse is a response to unstable conditions. Discussion: According to the content of the participants’ words, it can be said that drug abuse prevention should be consistent with the cultural and social contexts of the students’ living areas. Preventive plans should be situation-oriented and based on students’ participation in these plans.