PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG USE AMONG TEENAGE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the association between socio-demographic characteristics and use of alcohol and other drugs by teenage public school students. This was an exploratory study, conducted in the first half of 2014. A total of 480 public school students from the municipality of Divinópolis, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, were selected to participate in the study by non-probabilistic sampling. The participants responded individually to a questionnaire prepared by the authors and the Drug Use Screening Inventory. Analysis was by descriptive and bivariate statistics. The results showed a predominance of male users (51.9%), with family income 1-2 times the minimum wage (52.7%). Analgesics (43.9%) were the primary drugs used, followed by alcohol (39.5%) and tobacco (9.7%). As for variables that favored drug use, lack of leisure and recreation activities had the highest frequency of reported problems. The findings of this study indicate the need to implement policies aimed at comprehensive health care for adolescents, especially cultural, sporting, leisure and professional training activities, as well as measures to prevent the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Keywords

• Primary health care
• Substance abuse detection
• Adolescent behavior
• Mental disorders