[Substance abuse among school children. A pilot study from Ilulissat/Jakobshavn, Grönland]

A pilot investigation to illustrate the use of euphoriant agents by school pupils in Ilusissat/Jakobshavn in Greenland was carried out. The object was to establish a basic line for this employment and to commence monitoring which has been planned for a preliminary period of five years. In addition, a questionnaire was tested. The investigation was anonymous and the questionnaires were distributed on 14.11.1989. All of the pupils who were present (195 out of 230) participated. The age range was from 13 to 17 years. The investigation revealed a great consumption of tobacco. The alcohol consumption was moderate while hash and sniffing were at city levels (20% and 7%, respectively). Intensive prophylactic measures in the Greenlandic language are required. Similar projects on local bases are important. This investigation will be repeated annually in the same manner and will be extended to several towns in Greenland.