Psychoactive Drug Use by Youth in a Post Armed-Conflict Region

• Published in: Revista colombiana de psiquiatría Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 299 - 308
• Main Authors: Díaz, Carlos Gantiva, Ramírez, Nohelia Hewitt, Maldonado, Anderssen Vera, Varela, Adriana Angarita, Baños, Arturo Parado, Puerto, Angélica Guillén
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Colombia 01.06.2012
• Subjects: alcohol; Sustancias psicoactivas; Psychoactive substances (PAS); jóvenes; tobacco; youngsters; armed conflict; conflicto armado; tabaco
• ISSN: 0034-7450
• DOI: 10.1016/S0034-7450(14)60006-8

There are no studies in Colombia on the use of psychoactive substances (PAS) by post armed-conflict population to serve as guide for prevention programs and to account for the potential impact armed conflict may have upon this area. To describe the use of PAS in young students in a post-conflict region. A quantitative-descriptive study involving the totality of students of the township of Viotá, Department of Cundinamarca, Colombia (1,304 participants). The World Health Survey for Schoolchildren was applied. Alcohol is the substance with the highest percentage of lifetime prevalence; during the last month, it was observed that the highest percentage of people start PAS use between the age of 8 and 13, while 42% of youngsters have experienced at least one drunkenness episode. It was found that 43.4% have been exposed to alcohol in their families while 35.1% were exposed to tobacco at school or in their neighborhoods. 84.5% stated their intention to continue consuming tobacco during the next year. Results show lower consumption percentages in comparison to school youngsters in Bogotá, Colombia, which may indicate that the armed conflict has not increased consumption levels in this population. Based on the results, certain elements to be taken into account are proposed for the implementation of prevention programs with this population.