The Impact of News about Drug-Addicted Patients Exhibiting Violent Behavior on Your Daily Life

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to examine the impact of news reports concerning drug-dependent patients who engaged in rampage or violent behavior on the general public. The study was conducted among 328 residents aged 20 years and older in Ban Phai District, Khon Kaen Province. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed. Data were collected using a questionnaire between June and September 2025 and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The results revealed that most participants were exposed to news about drug-dependent patients one to two times per week (35.7%), with social media being the primary source of information (63.1%). News exposure had a slight impact on emotional responses (30.2%), while 25.9% of respondents reported feelings of anxiety. Minor changes in daily life behaviors were observed in 37.8% of participants, and perceptions of community safety were moderately affected (30.8%). Qualitative analysis indicated that the public proposed several approaches to addressing violent incidents involving drug-dependent patients, including law enforcement, rehabilitation, and preventive measures. Therefore, it is recommended that mass media and online platforms present news in a constructive manner by providing accurate information and problem-solving approaches without instilling fear or stigmatizing drug-dependent patients, in order to promote understanding and encourage positive solutions within society.