BUDDHA-DHANMMA INTEGRATION FOR PROMOTING PEOPLE’S PARTICI PATION IN DRUG PROBLEM PREVENTION OF LAKCHAI SUB-DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION, LAD BUALUANG DISTRICT, PHRA NAKORN SI AYUTHAYA PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To examine the level of public participation, 2. To investigate the relationship between Sammappadhāna 4, Four Right Efforts, and public participation, and 3. To propose an integration of Buddhist principles to enhance public participation in drug prevention undertaken by the Lak Chai Sub-District Administrative Organization, Lat Bua Luang District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, conducted by the mixed-methods research. The quantitative research, utilized descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics through correlation coefficient analysis. Data were collected using questionnaires from 368 samples, aged 18 years and above. The qualitative research, data were collected by in-depth interviewing 9 key informants, consisting of monks and community members.

The findings revealed that: 1. The overall level of public participation was high; 2. The relationship between Bala 4 and public participation was low; and 3. The integration of Buddhist principles to promote public participation in drug prevention could be effectively framed through Sammappadhāna 4, as an integrated operational framework, emphasizing community-based prevention and surveillance, Saṃvara-padhāna, humane problem-solving and rehabilitation, Pahāna-padhāna, capacity building and the enhancement of psychological resilience, Bhāvanā-padhāna and the sustainability of successful outcomes to improve the quality of life of the community Anurakkhaṇā-padhāna.