Illegal Substance Use among Italian High School Students: Trends over 11 Years (1999–2009)

Sabrina Molinaro,Stefano Salvadori,Francesca Denoth,Valeria Siciliano,Fabio Mariani,Olivia Curzio,Ehsan U Syed

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020482

Sabrina Molinaro, Stefano Salvadori + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0020482

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Abstract

PurposeTo monitor changes in habits in drug use among Italian high school students.MethodsCross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) carried out in Italy annually for 11 years (1999–2009) with representative samples of youth attending high school. The sample size considered ranges from 15,752 to 41,365 students and response rate ranged from 85.5% to 98.6%. Data were analyzed to obtain measures of life-time prevalence (LT), use in the last year (LY), use in the last 30 days (LM), frequent use. Comparisons utilized difference in proportion tests. Tests for linear trends in proportion were performed using the Royston p trend test.ResultsWhen the time-averaged value was considered, cannabis (30% LT) was the most, and heroin the least (2%) frequently used, with cocaine (5%), hallucinogens (2%) and stimulants (2%) in between. A clear gender gap is evident for all drugs, more obvious for hallucinogens (average M/F LY prevalence ratio 2, range 1.7–2.4, p<0.05), less for cannabis (average M/F LY prevalence ratio 1.3, range 1.2–1.5, p<0.05). Data shows a change in trend between 2005 and 2008; in 2006 the trend for cannabis use and availability dropped and the price rose, while from 2005 cocaine and stimulant use prevalence showed a substantial increase and the price went down. After 2008 use of all substances seems to have decreased.ConclusionsDrug use is widespread among students in Italy, with cannabis being the most and heroin the least prevalent. Girls are less vulnerable than boys to illegal drug use. In recent years, a decrease in heroin use is overbalanced by a marked rise in hallucinogen and stimulant use.

Highlights

In most industrialized countries the use of illegal psychoactive substances is a serious public health challenge, and usually begins during adolescence [1]
When the time-averaged value is considered, cannabis is the most, and heroin the least (LT use less than 3%) used, with cocaine (5%), hallucinogens and stimulants (4%) in between
A clear gender gap is evident for all drugs, more obvious for hallucinogens, stimulant and cocaine less for heroin and cannabis

Summary

Introduction

In most industrialized countries the use of illegal psychoactive substances is a serious public health challenge, and usually begins during adolescence [1]. The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) collects comparable data on substance use among European students in order to monitor trends within as well as between countries [2]. The ESPAD study is useful for assessing which new drugs or substances may be gaining favor, and in which subgroups or areas. This information has important implications for public policy—for assessing needs, setting agendas, and formulating and evaluating policies. It has implications for the health of the nation [3]

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