Perceived norms among university students about their peers and drug use at a Chilean university

• Published in: Revista latino-americana de enfermagem Vol. 17 Spec No; pp. 907 - 912
• Main Authors: Ramirez Castillo, Julia, Cunningham, John, Brands, Bruna, Strike, Carol, Wright, Maria da Gloria Miotto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Brazil 01.11.2009
• Subjects: Adolescent; Chile; Female; Humans; Male; Nursing; Peer Group; Students; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Young Adult; Chile
• DOI: 10.1590/S0104-11692009000700023
• ISSN: 0104-1169

This study analyzes the relationship between perceived norms about drug use among peers and actual use among university students. This is a qualitative, multicenter study involving sophomore and junior students of the health courses of a Chilean university. Participants were 286 (75.2%) of the total 380 university students. more than 50% of the students notice that their peers smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, drink alcohol three times a week, and use marijuana once a week and cocaine at least once a year. The university campus it place of highest drug use; cocaine is used at a friend's house. Among students, 68% have smoked once in their life, 57% smoke on a daily basis; 88% have had alcohol once in their life; 26% used marijuana once in their life, 16% used marijuana over the last 12 months. Students do not know about any university policies for drug use. Some results confirm that drug use is underestimated.