Alcohol and substance use among Japanese high school students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Substance use among adolescents is a significant public health concern.
• Previous surveys indicated lower prevalence rates for alcohol and tobacco use in Japanese high school students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and paint thinner use among Japanese high school students.
• To compare current substance use rates with historical data from 1978.
• To identify patterns and co-occurrence of substance use in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale survey was conducted across 44 high schools in Japan.
• Data were collected from 14,438 students aged 15-18 years.
• The survey examined past and regular use of alcohol, tobacco, and paint thinner, along with demographic and behavioral factors.

Main Results:

• A higher percentage of students reported past or regular use of alcohol and tobacco compared to 1978.
• 76% reported past alcohol consumption, with 50% drinking regularly.
• 32% reported past smoking, with 14% smoking regularly. Paint thinner inhalation was rare (3% past use).
• A significant proportion of alcohol drinkers also used tobacco and/or paint thinner, indicating polysubstance use tendencies across different demographics.

Conclusions:

• Substance use, particularly alcohol and tobacco, has increased among Japanese high school students since 1978.
• Polysubstance use is a notable trend, occurring irrespective of gender, educational level, or geographic location.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies for adolescent substance use in Japan.