RESEARCH PAPER
Assessment of the prevalence of taking psychoactive substances in secondary school students
from the Silesia region
1
Studenckie Koło Naukowe Promocji Zdrowia i Profilaktyki Chorób przy Katedrze i Zakładzie Higieny, opiekun: dr n. med. I. Pirogowicz, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich we Wrocławiu. Kierownik: dr hab. K. Pawlas, prof. nadzw.
2
Katedra i Zakład Patofizjologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Piastów Śląskich we Wrocławiu. Kierownik: dr hab. W. Pilecki, prof. nadzw.
3
Szkoła Wyższa Psychologii Społecznej, Oddział Wrocław – Dziekan: Prof. dr hab. T. Zaleśkiewicz
Corresponding author
Mateusz Patyk
Studenckie Koło Naukowe Promocji Zdrowia i Profilaktyki Chorób przy Katedrze i Zakładzie Higieny Uniwersytetu Medycznego we Wrocławiu
Studenckie Koło Naukowe Promocji Zdrowia i Profilaktyki Chorób przy Katedrze i Zakładzie Higieny Uniwersytetu Medycznego we Wrocławiu
Med Srod. 2013;16(4):35–42
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Background:
The aim of the study was to scrutinize the scale of a current problem of psychoactive substances taking by adolescents aged 13–16, including the level of their knowledge of that subject. The results obtained can help to create an educational program targeted at decreasing the number of students using drugs.
Material and Methods:
The study was performed on a group of 197 secondary school students in 2013 with the use of selfdeveloped query based on ESPAD (The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) questionnaire.
Results:
25% of the students showed their curiosity in trying some psychoactive substances, if those were legal. 19% declared that they already have had a contact with drugs. Teenagers are worried about the possible reaction of their parents and legal consequences of the use of psychoactive substances. At least every tenth of the respondents have had an opportunity to try marihuana.
Conclusions:
Despite the low average age the group of respondents has had contact with psychoactive substances. Every third person has been offered psychoactive substances. At least 40% of teenagers know about the possible ways where to take the drugs from. The outcome of the study is quite alarming because it shows a considerable interest in common drugs, as well as in some OTC medicaments.
The aim of the study was to scrutinize the scale of a current problem of psychoactive substances taking by adolescents aged 13–16, including the level of their knowledge of that subject. The results obtained can help to create an educational program targeted at decreasing the number of students using drugs.
Material and Methods:
The study was performed on a group of 197 secondary school students in 2013 with the use of selfdeveloped query based on ESPAD (The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) questionnaire.
Results:
25% of the students showed their curiosity in trying some psychoactive substances, if those were legal. 19% declared that they already have had a contact with drugs. Teenagers are worried about the possible reaction of their parents and legal consequences of the use of psychoactive substances. At least every tenth of the respondents have had an opportunity to try marihuana.
Conclusions:
Despite the low average age the group of respondents has had contact with psychoactive substances. Every third person has been offered psychoactive substances. At least 40% of teenagers know about the possible ways where to take the drugs from. The outcome of the study is quite alarming because it shows a considerable interest in common drugs, as well as in some OTC medicaments.
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