Address of Corresponding Author

Eur Addict Res 2005;11:38-43 (DOI: 10.1159/000081415)

  Key Words

• Drug usage, teenagers
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption, teenagers
• Hungarian teenagers
• European School Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs

  Abstract

Objective: To investigate drug use among secondary schoolchildren aged 14-18 years in the city of Szeged in Hungary in order to observe and describe drug use, smoking and alcohol intake and to find risk factors for these behaviours. Methods: The questionnaire was concerned with recreational drug use, smoking and drinking habits as well as family structure and life-style based upon the European School Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs questionnaire. Statistical methods used were the ² test and multiple logistic regression analysis. The standard errors were estimated using the Huber-White procedure. Results: Overall 20% of schoolchildren reported experience of drug usage. Boys were significantly more likely to report drug use than girls (² = 4.65; p = 0.031). Cannabis was the most commonly reported drug used (96%). The proportion of drug users was significantly higher among those who had smoked (13%) or were current smokers (65%) compared to those who never smoked (1%; ² = 164.7; p < 0.001). Moreover, the risk of drug use was significantly higher in those children who reported a drug user in the family (OR 9.3; 95% CI 4.3-19.9; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings support the hypothesis that strategies for the prevention of drug use should consider the association between drug and tobacco use.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Louise Parker
North of England Children's Cancer Research Unit
Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP (UK)
Tel. +44 191 202 3023, Fax +44 191 202 3060, E-Mail louise.parker@ncl.ac.uk

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 15