NCJ Number
230997
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 286-292
Date Published
May 2010
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study assessed risk factors for illegal substances use initiation in a cohort of Mexican high-school teenage students.
Abstract
The follow-up analysis was carried out in 21 616 at-risk students. The incidence of substance use initiation was 7 percent. Male gender (odds ratio 3.86, 95 percent confidence interval 3.45, 4.32), a higher father's education level, sexual initiation for women (odds ratio 2.67, 95 percent confidence interval 1.49, 4.79] and use of legal substances at baseline were associated with risk of substance use initiation. The social circumstances surrounding adolescents influence their risk of illegal substance consumption. Although the complex network of factors affecting substance use requires further exploring, young people at risk can be identified and should receive preventive attention. Longitudinal study of a cohort of 10th grade students, with follow up at the time of their enrolment in college (3-4 year follow-up). The associations of parental educational level, alcohol abuse in the family, employment status, experiences of physical and sexual aggression, sexual initiation, emotional distress and previous legal substance use at the baseline measurement, with the initiation of illegal substance use were explored. (Published Abstract)