Drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, social) and the young adult: use and attitudes.

Abstract

A study of the total drug use (prescription, over-the-counter, and social) of 600 young adults, 18-21 years of age, demonstrated that 75% had ingested alcohol, 91% caffeine, 41% analgesics, 28% vitamins, and 17% prescription medicines, and 39% had smoked marijuana and 21% ordinary cigarettes during the week prior to interview. Women used more prescriptions, O-T-C, and social drugs than men, with women averaging 5.1 and men 4.5. An inconsistency was found between attitudes toward alcohol and its consumption. The findings suggest that drug education programs need to place more emphasis upon the hazards associated with O-T-C and social drugs.