Consumption of alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive substances in adolescents from an indigenous territory in the Colombian Amazon

Abstract

IntroductionThere are very few studies on the consumption of psychoactive substances (PAS) among young people from indigenous territories and evening or blended learning students. In Inírida, a municipality in the Colombian Amazon, there were concerns about a possible consumption issue that had never been characterised before. ObjectiveTo characterise the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and PAS in Inírida among teenage evening and blended learning students. MethodsThe Inter-American Uniform Drug Use Data System (SIDUC) survey developed by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) was adapted to the cultural context and carried out on 95% of 284 evening and blended learning students (262). Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analyses were used. ResultsCurrently, 59% consume alcohol; 28% tobacco; 21% marijuana; 3% cocaine paste; 1% ecstasy (MDMA); 1% cocaine; and 1% inhalants. Also, 61% believe that drugs are available inside and around the vicinity of their school, and that marijuana (62%) and cocaine paste (35%) are easily acquired. Drugs are most commonly offered in neighbourhoods (56%) and at parties (30%). Those offering the highest quantity of drugs are acquaintances (35%) and friends (29%). And 51% stated that they had participated in preventive activities related to consumption. ConclusionsCurrently, the population has a higher consumption of the substances studied in comparison with the national reference, that of Orinoquía and Amazonía, with the exception of cocaine and inhalants. The consumption situation was confirmed, so participatory actions are proposed.