The epidemiology of illicit drug use in Spain

On the basis of a review of the available information, this article summarizes the situation, patterns and trends in respect of the use of cannabis, heroin and other opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens and inhalants, as well as multiple drug use. The review clearly shows that since the early 1980s there has been an increasing trend in the use of drugs, particularly heroin and cannabis. Drug use predominantly affects young people. The use of two or more drugs simultaneously or successively, often involving alcohol, is reported as the most common pattern of drug use among youth. Drug use has become incorporated into the current youth culture, with all the individual, social and economic implications this engenders. The average age of users at first use of inhalants was 16.3 years, cannabis 17.5 years, hallucinogens 18.8 years, cocaine 20.6 years and amphetamines 23.5 years.