The relationship between migration and substance use on individuals who are routed to the substance abuse treatment due to probation act

Objective: Izmir, is one of the major metropolises of Turkey has migration in an increasing scale. Migration is an important fact that determining economic, social, cultural conditions and forming social environment of individuals. This study is about the relationship between migration which determines socio-economic structure and substance use patterns on individuals who applied for the treatment of substance abuse by probation law to the Ege University, Faculty of Medicine and Addiction Clinic. Methods: The study was conducted with 302 people who agree to participate as a volunteer between the date of 01.10.2014-31.03.2015. The questionnaire, developed by the researchers, was used as a data collection tool. The collected data was evaluated in SPSS 15.0 Program and analyzed by chi-square, Fisher’s Exact test and t test. Findings: According to obtained findings, it has been seen that, comparing with natives, immigrants have higher rates on criteria of lower maternal education level, having more than two children, living as a tenant, high sibling number and interfering other crimes. Established relationships were found to be statistically significant. While, among the natives, the most important reason in starting substance use was detected as ‘curiosity’, it has been remarkably seen that among the migrating participants, personal matters as a reason of beginning substance use has a higher rate. This finding shows the differentiation among two groups. Result: Immigrants, settle out of the city and continue their lives in worse conditions than the ones who live in the city center. Therefore, they cannot benefit adequately positive opportunities of city because of environment, family and individual factors. This disadvantaged conditions encompasses immigrants increasingly. The higher rate of involving in other crimes among the participants who immigrated to Izmir shows how this situation relates with crime. For this study, it is expected to contribute the detections of risk for substance use, in order to prevent drug use in determining of public policy, development of regulations needs to be done and take the necessary protective measures. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2016; 17(5.000): 376-384]