Sensitivity analysis-based control strategies of a mathematical model for reducing marijuana smoking

Abstract

<abstract> <p>The aim of the current study is to reduce marijuana use among the general population. Because marijuana is an illegal narcotic with numerous negative health effects, it continues to pose a severe threat to public health in emerging nations. In this article, a modified mathematical model of the non-users, experimental users, recreational users, and addict's (NERA) model for marijuana consumption is established by incorporating a new compartment that represents the individuals who are being moved to jail by police intervention. The overall population of humans is divided into five main components: the non-smoker's compartment, experimental smoker's compartment, recreational smoker's compartment, addicted smoker's compartment, and prisoner's compartment. The novelty of this work is to modify the NERA model for marijuana consumption and validate the modified model. Furthermore, with the help of sensitivity analysis, control strategies for marijuana consumption in the population are addressed. The invariant region and the basic reproductive number (<italic>R</italic><sub>0</sub>) are those parts that are needed for the validation of the proposed model. For the numerical simulation of the given model, the 4th-order Runge Kutta method will be used with the help of MATLAB to examine how the control strategies will play a role in marijuana consumption.</p> </abstract>