DRUG, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AMONG ADOLESCENT STUDENTS

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, 70% of adult premature deaths are due to behaviors acquired during adolescence, such as tobacco, alcohol and drug consumption. Objective: To evaluate the tobacco, drug and alcohol consumption patterns among adolescent students. Method: A cross - sectional study was undertaken. A survey was distributed among 5th & 6th grade students from public and private schools in the municipality of San Fernando (Buenos Aires-Argentina) between the months of October and November 2012. Results: The survey was answered by 1288/3004 (42, 8%) students; 81% of the students claimed that they consumed alcohol, 15, 3% of whom drank alcohol every weekend; 19% used tobacco. Marijuana was the most consumed drug (23,7% of the respondents ) followed by sleeping pills (10%), designer drugs (3,9%) and cocaine (3,1%). Women were found to smoke more than men OR 1.87 (IC 95% (1,38-2,53)); public school students smoked 1,55 more times than private school students OR 1.55 (IC 95% (1.07- 2.23)) (P=0.014). Alcohol consumption was twice as high among private school students than public school students, OR 2,01 (IC 95% (1,38 -2,87%)). (P=0.00) Tobacco and alcohol consumption increased the probability of drug use. OR 6.71 (IC 95% (4.09-11.049)). (P=0,0001) and OR 11.68 (IC 95% (5.62-23.57)) p=0,0001 respectively, Conclusion: Among adolescents, alcohol was the most consumed substance followed by marijuana, tobacco and sleeping pills. Knowing the consumption patterns of adolescents allows the implementation of strategies to approach present and future addiction problems.