Consumo de droga durante a adolescência em escolas portuguesas

Abstract

This paper examined the prevalence rates of substance use, and its relationship with other associated problems, in Portuguese adolescents. Data were collected from a longitudinal study of two large cohorts of pupils, who were first assessed in elementary schools and afterwards followed-up until the age o 17-18 years. Most information was collected through self-report questionnaires. Results showed that substance use increases during adolescence both among boys and girls, so that at the end of that period, most participants reported some kind of drug experimentation (generally of a licit type). In contrast, the involvement with illicit-drug was less frequent, particularly in early adolescence. Similarly, few participants reported drug use with some intensity. In general, these prevalence rates are lower than those reported in other studies carried out in Portugal and abroad. Another interesting finding was the moderate-to-strong relationship between substance use and other forms of deviant behaviour (including antisocial attitudes, low self-control or low academic achievement). This seems to provide partial support to the view that drug use is an expression of an underlying antisocial tendency or trait. Finally, no strong significant relationship was found between drug use and emotional problems or socio-demographic variables, including gender. This seems to contradict the idea, rather generalized, that substance use represents a strategy to cope with emotional difficulties. From these data several implications are drawn for further research as well as for the development of new intervention programs in this field.