Abandoned buildings and anti-social activities: a sociological research based on Maruthamunai city

Abstract

There are many factors influence on a person to make mistakes from which his environment plays a major role. Thus, the abandoned buildings built by government and non-government agents for various purposes in Maruthamunai area are used for anti-social activities such as drug usage, prostitution, and hiding for escaping. This research was based on qualitative and quantitative techniques for which both primary and secondary data are used having collected through observation (observing human movement into the identified abandoned buildings), unstructured interviews (interviewing the people living around such buildings) and group discussion (discussing with the relevant authorized persons). Based on the data 100% of the abandoned buildings found in Maruthamunai are used for Drug use, 33% for prostitution and sexual activities, 55% for drug dealing and hiding drugs, 77% for students to use mobile phones and play mobile games, 28% and 44% for the students and thieves to hide into the buildings respectively. This study presents suggestions to prevent anti-social activities in the abandoned buildings in Maruthamunai area and to take necessary actions for such activities in collaboration with the government agents.