A Sociological Analysis of Cannabis addicted three-wheel Driver. (Western Province, Gampaha District, Nittabuwa Divisional Secretariat Area)

Abstract

This article reviews the sociological analysis of cannabis addicted three-wheel drivers. The research problem of the study was what are the impacts of cannabis use by three-wheeler drivers on their families? The family is the basic unit of society, yet many changes can be identified in the family background. Based on drug arrests in 2019, the highest numbers of cases were reported for cannabis (45,923) (Handbook, 2019). According to (2004) traffic police reports, three-wheeler drivers have committed offences related to road accidents, such as driving after consuming the drug and distracting drivers with smoking. The main objective of this study was the impact of cannabis use by three-wheeler drivers on their families and the sub-objective of this study was the subculture of three-wheel drivers addicted to cannabis. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews via case studies and 10 case studies were used. The purposive sample technique was used for selecting interviewees. This study used thematic analysis as the data analysis method. According to the field data, the highest age groups among the interviewees were 34-38. The majority of the three Wheel drivers are in the active working-age group. When considering Three Wheeler drivers’ education level, the majority of them have studied up to Grade 8 or O/L. Based on this information the monthly income level of the three wheel drivers was not enough to get a profit from their job. Therefore, some of the money earned by three-wheel drivers was used for their drug needs and a small amount of money was used to fulfil the needs of the family. In that situation, they were economically, sociologically and psychologically vulnerable groups in the society. According to this study, the three-wheeler drivers who are using cannabis revealed that they have a unique language and style. Their behaviour, language, style and clothing take on a different face. Young drivers are mostly dressed in shorts, denim and sleeveless shirts, t-shirts or colourful shirts. Also, drivers tend to have long hair, pierced ears and body tattoos. It could be concluded that these behaviours of the cannabis addicted three-wheel divers have a negative impact on their families and they show sub-cultural characteristics that are different from the main culture in the society. The preventive of cannabis use and their job done right is a timely necessity for the family as well as society.