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[Drugs, narcotics--knowledge and habits in schools]
L Meyer1, A B Barfod, F H Hansen
1Skolelaegerne i Roskilde Amt.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|November 19, 1990
Summary
A 1988/1989 study found over 50% of surveyed students used pain relievers, with prescription drug use at 2%. Most illicit drug use, including speed and sniffing, was low among adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Drug Use Epidemiology
Background:
- Adolescent drug use is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding patterns of substance use among school-aged children is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the knowledge, habits, and attitudes towards euphorizing drugs among pupils in the seventh and ninth grades.
- To assess the prevalence of analgesic and illicit drug use in a school population.
Main Methods:
- A voluntary and anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among 4,004 pupils in the seventh and ninth grades.
- The study took place during the 1988/1989 school session in ten municipalities in the County of Roskilde.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of pupils reported using analgesic medicine in the past three months; prescription drug use was around 2%.
- Illicit drug use was relatively low: approximately 6% of ninth graders were offered speed, with less than 1% consuming it. Sniffing attempts were reported by 1-4% of pupils.
- Cocaine, heroin, and morphine use was very infrequent among the surveyed students. Parental sources were the primary means of obtaining medication.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight the prevalence of over-the-counter pain reliever use and low rates of illicit drug experimentation in adolescents.
- A multidisciplinary health educational campaign focusing on euphorizing drugs is recommended to address potential risks and improve adolescent health outcomes.