Trends in drug use among students in Brazil: analysis of four surveys in 1987, 1989, 1993 and 1997

Abstract

The consumption of psychotropic drugs among Brazilian secondary school students was examined by comparing data from four surveys using a questionnaire adapted from the WHO's Program on Research and Reporting on the Epidemiology of Drug Dependence. Students filled out the form in their classrooms without the presence of teachers. The target population consisted of 10-18-year-old students (on average, 15,000 students responded to each survey) in Brazil's ten largest state capitals: Belém, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo. Among the legal drugs, lifetime use (use at least once during life) of tobacco was increased in seven cities (the exceptions were Brasília, Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro). There was also a significant increase in frequent use of alcohol (six times or more per month) in 6 of the cities, from an average of 9.2% in 1987 to 15.0% in 1997. With respect to illegal drugs, there was a significant increase in lifetime use of marijuana (a 3-fold increase from 2.8% in 1987 to 7.6% in 1997). Cocaine use increased 4-fold over the survey period (0.5% in 1987 to 2.0% in 1997). Lifetime use of cocaine significantly increased in eight capitals (except Recife and Rio de Janeiro). However, frequent cocaine use increased in only three capitals (Belém, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre), from an average of 1.0% in 1987 to 3.6% in 1997. Lifetime use of medications such as anxiolytics and amphetamines increased 2-fold on average over the survey period. Comparing the four studies, the main conclusion is that there were significant increases in the frequencies for lifetime use, frequent use and heavy use of many drugs

Prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors in a population-based study

“…22 A survey conducted in 10 Brazilian capitals found that the frequent use of alcohol (six or more times per month) in students aged 10 to 18 years increased from 9.2%, in 1987, to 15%, in 1997. 9 Although the literature points out that single, divorced, or widowed people generally consume more alcohol, 2,11,17,25 the present study did not fi nd any association between marital status and alcoholism.…”

Drug use in college students: a 13-year trend

“…Data from the Brazilian population show an increase in consumption of appetite suppressants from 2001 to 2005, as previously reported among middle and high school students from 1987 to 2004. 4 These students seem to consume alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, hallucinogens and synthetic drugs more often than Brazilian college students in general. h Both experimentation and regular use of alcohol seem to have reached a ceiling, particularly among Biological Sciences and Arts & Humanities students.…”

Perfil dos usuários do serviço de teleatendimento sobre drogas de abuso VIVAVOZ

“…No Brasil, levantamentos sistemáticos têm sido realizados com o objetivo de estudar a prevalência do uso de álcool e outras drogas [1][2][3][4][5][6] . No último Levantamento Domiciliar, realizado em 2005, o uso na vida de drogas ilícitas foi referido por 22,8% dos entrevistados, prevalecendo o uso de maconha (8,8%) e solventes (6,1%).…”

“…Além do crescente consumo, estudos apontam significativa diferença do uso de drogas entre os sexos. Indivíduos do sexo masculino, em geral, utilizam mais álcool ou outras drogas, revelando um importante padrão social do consumo dessas substâncias 3,[6][7][8] .…”

“…Adicionalmente, perguntas específicas sobre o padrão de consumo da substância utilizada (álcool, cocaína, maconha, solvente, tabaco e outras) foram aplicadas aos usuários de drogas. O questionário utilizado, proposto e desenvolvido pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) 32 , adaptado para o Brasil, e já utilizado em outros estudos multicêntricos [1][2][3]33 , contempla perguntas sobre a freqüência, quantidade, tempo e modo de uso das substâncias. De acordo com a OMS, o uso de drogas segue a seguinte classificação: uso na vida (uso pelo menos uma vez na vida), uso no ano (uso pelo menos uma vez nos últimos 12 meses), uso no mês (uso pelo menos uma vez nos últimos 30 dias) e uso pesado (uso diário no último mês) 33 .…”