[Extracurricular activities and drug abuse prevention: a controversial issue]

Data obtained from 16,117 high school students in fifteen Brazilian cities, relating to participation in a number of extracurricular activities and consumption of drugs and alcohol, are described. In the great majority of cases, no association was found between participation in artistic, community or sports-related activities and the use of these substances. On the other hand, a weak but constant negative correlation was found between alcohol/drug consumption and involvement in religious activities. The authors discuss these findings in the light of some of the current preconceptions prevailing in Brazilian society: namely, that such activities constitute effective strategies for drug use prevention; and that "idle" young persons tend to be potential drug users. They also discuss the implications of the fact among students involved in religious activities drug and alcohol consumption has been shown to be slightly lower.