Lifetime prevalence and risk factors of drug use in North Cyprus: 2003-2015

Abstract

Drug use has become widespread with very high prevalence recorded globally and studies on psychoactive substance use have become more prevalent throughout the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristics and prevalence of cigarette, alcohol and other psychoactive drug use among adults in North Cyprus (NC). A random multi-staged, stratified sampling quota was used for sampling in May-June 2015. Household survey interviews were conducted with 994 people within the 18–65 age group. A survey questionnaire was used, namely the Model European Questionnaire of Council of Europe which had been adapted to the Turkish language. The prevalence data are given in comparison with surveys conducted using the same questionnaire in 2003 (825 people), 2008 (804 people) and 2013 (1040 people). The survey shows that the lifetime prevalence of smoking is 62.7%, alcohol use is 72.1% and illicit drug use is 8%. Lifetime cannabis use is 4.5%, synthetic cannabinoid is 3.5%, ecstasy is 1.5%, sedatives/hypnotic drugs is 5.7% and volatiles was found to be 1.4%. The prevalence of cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, LSD and codeine syrups use were between 0.6 and 1.3%. Compared to previous studies, it has been observed that the lifetime cigarette/alcohol use is decreasing among adults in NC; however, the lifetime use of other psychoactive drugs is increasing. NC has a higher prevalence of cigarette use than Asian, European and African countries. The prevalence of alcohol and substance use is similar to the high prevalence in the United States. NC needs efficient prevention programs in order to combat drug use.

Keywords

• psychoactive drug use
• prevalence
• risk factors
• adult survey