Consumption and perceived use of licit and illicit drugs among university students, Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia

Authors

  • Erika Maria Montoya Vásquez Universidad de Antioquia; Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública
  • John Cunningham University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Bruna Brands University of Toronto; Center for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Canada and Public Health and Regulatory Policies
  • Carol Strike University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Maria da Gloria Miotto Wright Organization of American States; Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; Demand Reduction Section

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700020

Keywords:

social perception, street drugs, students, health occupations, alcohol drinking, marijuana smoking, cocaine, tobacco, Colombia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate differences between perceived and reported drug use among sophomore and junior university students, aged 18 to 24 years, from a public university in Medellin, Colombia. Method: this is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. All second- and third-year students at the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Public Health were invited to answer an anonymous questionnaire. In total, 427 students participated. RESULTS: data suggest that students overestimate the use of tobacco, marijuana and cocaine over the last 12 months. Alcohol use was perceived accurately. Students who reported using those substances during that period overestimated their peers' drug use more than those who did not. Furthermore, more women than men overestimated marijuana use.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 17 (2009): Número Especial

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Consumption and perceived use of licit and illicit drugs among university students, Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(spe), 886-892. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700020