Patterns of Drug Use by Young People in the Rural Community of Spain

• NCJ Number: 119931
• Journal: British Journal of Addiction Volume: 84 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1989) Pages: 647-658
• Author(s): F J Alvarez; D Queipo; M C Del Rio; M C Garcia
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Spain
• Note: Paper presented at IV International Congress of the International Federation of Psychiatric Epidemiology, Madrid, Spain, September 1987.

Annotation

In 1987, patterns of drug use were studied using fourteen, 30-year-olds from rural (less than 10,000 inhabitants) Spain.

Abstract

Cannabis was the most frequently consumed drug for the one month that the frequency of drug consumption was measured. It was determined that 10.7 percent of the population used cannabis, 1.01 percent used amphetamines, and 0.11 percent used inhalants. Drug consumption was more frequent among males than among females. Users of inhalants began at an earlier age (15.3 years) whereas cocaine users generally started at a slightly older age (20 years). 'New sensations and curiosity' were the most frequently reported reasons for the initial consumption of the drugs, whereas the 'search for pleasure and happiness', and 'to relax' were the principal reasons given for continuing use. 'Euphoria' and 'well-being' were the principal effects felt under the influence of the different drugs. The present data show that drug consumption is common among young people in Spanish rural communities. 9 references, 4 tables. (Author abstract modified)