Drug Abuse Trends Research Articles

Drug abuse and ACS in the very young (less than 30 years): Demographic, clinical and angiographic profile

AimTo identify incidence, type of drug abuse study clinical and angiographic profile in very young population presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials and methodsAll consecutive patients less than 30 years with ACS included and segregated into Group 1 and 2 (with and without drug abuse respectively) Resultn = 153; n = 17 in group 1 of whom 35.29 % consumed opium, 17.64 % energy drinks, 17.64 % whey protein supplements, 17.64 % inhaled marijuana, 5.88 % heroin and spasmoproxyvon and 23.52 % multi-substance abusers. STEMI, Single vessel disease and urban domicile were predominant. Rising trends of drug abuse were identified in prospective (28.20 %) versus retrospective (5.30 %) timeframe (p = 0.011). ConclusionRising trends of drug abuse, a potentially modifiable risk factor of ACS in the young are alarming. Strict regulations are needed to curb this menace.

The Impact of Peer Groups and Media on Increasing Trends in Substance Use and Abuse Among the General Population During COVID-19.

The Impact of Peer Groups and Media on Increasing Trends in Substance Use and Abuse Among the General Population During COVID-19.

Substance Abuse and Sleep Quality in University Students.

Substance abuse remains a challenging public health issue, especially among young people. It has been shown that poor sleep and substance abuse may have mutual intensifying effects. This study aimed to evaluate the rates of substance abuse, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption and their association with sleep disturbances among university students in 2021. The participants were the students of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Iran in 2021. Data were collected through a researcher-made demographic questionnaire, the first two questions of the translated version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A total of 222 students entered the study from March to August 2021. The rates of substance abuse in the past three months and lifetime were 35.6% and 45.5%, respectively. The most common type of substance abuse was related to the 'other substances' category. Substance abuse was significantly higher in students living in dormitories and those with a family history of substance abuse. Poor sleep was found in 34.2% of the students, and substance abuse and alcohol consumption both in the past three months and lifetime were significantly associated with lower sleep quality. This study showed that substance abuse was significantly associated with sleep disturbances. The study results also illustrated an upward trend of substance abuse in recent years among students in Rasht, which may be related to economic issues in the country and/or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the rising prevalence of substance abuse and its impacts on society, policymakers are highly recommended to pay special attention to its risk factors.

Substance abuse among new patients attending main government hospitals in Malaysia from 2018-2021: A comparison between before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

Substance abuse admission to health facilities following the pandemic is often met with challenges. COVID-19 is causing an insurmountable psychosocial impact on the whole of mankind. Marginalized communities, particularly those with substance use disorders (SUDs), are also likely to suffer from greater psychosocial burden. This study sought to evaluate substance abuse trends before and during the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending selected government hospitals in Malaysia. Data from the year 2018 to 2021 was utilized. A total of 9,606 patients consisting of 7881 males and 1725 females were identified. Most of the patients involved with substance abuse from 2018 to 2021 were males, aged between 26 and 44 years old, Malays, high school students, singles, workers of private sectors and those residing in urban areas. The most abused substances over the four years were tobacco (61.8%), followed by amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) (43.1%), alcohol (39.7%), cannabis (17.2%), opioids (13.0%), and kratom (8.8%). Those who worked in the private sector and were self-employed or unemployed were more associated with substance abuse during the pandemic compared to those who worked in the government sector. Those with a history of psychiatric illness were more associated with abuse of substances during the pandemic than those without the history (adjusted OR: 1.18, 95% CI 1.09-1.29, p <0.001). Targeted exploration of factors affecting substance abuse in Malaysia is essential. The results of this study assist in identifying variations in substance abuse treatment characteristics for those admitted to treatment in Malaysia.

Analysis on dynamic changes of etizolam and its metabolites and exploration of its development prospect using UPLC-Q-exactive-MS

As one of the most widely abused designer benzodiazepines in the world, etizolam has been found in many cases in many countries. In this study, UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS was used for the first time to establish a dynamic change model of etizolam and its metabolites in rats. Compared with previous studies, the detection sensitivity and reproducibility of the instrument were higher. In the experiment, we optimized the traditional pharmacokinetic model based on Gauss function. According to the significant difference of etizolam in the plasma elimination phase of rats, a new pharmacokinetic model based on Lorentz function was established to describe the dynamic changes of etizolam more rigorously, which made the error effects lower and the accuracy of the pharmacokinetic parameters was improved. At the same time, the pharmacokinetic parameters of etizolam were compared with four other designer benzodiazepines reported in previous studies in rats, and we found the direct reason for the popularity of etizolam in the NPS market and explored the future development of etizolam for the first time. In addition, 21 metabolites were found through rat experiments to effectively detect etizolam abuse for a long time, of which 4 metabolites had the longest detection window and could be used as long-acting metabolites for experiments, which greatly prolongs the detection window and extends the time range in which etizolam was detected in real cases. This study is the first to conduct a systematic and comprehensive study on the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of etizolam and find out the direct reason for the prevalence of etizolam abuse, and we also discuss the development trend of etizolam in the future market of new psychoactive substances, which is beneficial for forensic experts to assess the trend of drug abuse and can provide reference for relevant drug control and drug treatment.

Preparation of mixed-mode weak cation exchange magnetic solid-phase extraction sorbent and its application in the extraction of 21 illicit drugs from wastewater

The detection of illicit drugs in wastewater can effectively monitor and evaluate the trend of illicit drug abuse. A novel mixed-mode cation exchange magnetic sorbent Fe3O4 @poly(ST/DVB/MA-COOH) was prepared and firstly applied as magnetically dispersed solid phase extraction material to efficiently, rapidly, and selectively extract 21 illicit drugs from wastewater. The selectivity of the sorbent was mainly attributed to the electrostatic interaction. The effects of Fe3O4 @poly(ST/DVB/MA-COOH) preparation and extraction conditions on the adsorption performance were thoroughly discussed. Among the 21 illicit drugs, the absolute extraction recovery values for 19 illicit drugs were greater than 80 % and the entire adsorption process could be achieved in one minute. Subsequently, the Fe3O4 @poly(ST/DVB/MA-COOH) sorbent combined with UHPLC-MS/MS was used to establish a quantitative method for the effectively extracted 19 illicit drugs in wastewater. The method had a good determination coefficient in the range of 0.2–200 ng/L and the limits of detection of the method were 0.03–0.67 ng/L. The spiked recovery values were in the range of 87.0–119.6 %. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the detection of 19 illicit drugs in wastewater samples and also compared with the commonly used SPE method. The obtained results indicate that Fe3O4 @poly(ST/DVB/MA-COOH) has great advantages in the detection of illicit drugs in wastewater.

STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI BNN DALAM PROGRAM REMAJA TEMAN SEBAYA ANTI NARKOBA GEN Z DI KOTA BANDA ACEH

The trend of drug abuse in Indonesia is increasing, and one of the areas that have problems with drugs is Banda Aceh. Anti-Drug Peers Youth is a program that is included in the scope of National Priority (PN) activities and is a drug abuse prevention program under the auspices of the BNN main program. The purpose of this studio was to find out how the communication strategy used by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of Banda Aceh in campaigning for the Anti-Drug Peer Youth Program for Generation Z in Banda Aceh. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, using interview techniques with three informants. The results of the study show that regardless of the communication strategy implemented by youth they are selected and are seen as active and have been competent. They are considered capable of being activists in compiling messages using simple language that is easily understood by teenagers. The message delivery used is through canalizing and educative methods and uses spoken words and printed writing media.

The Harm of Methamphetamine Abuse and Studies of Drug Interventions

The trend of drug abuse is widespread in the world. As a new type of drug, methamphetamine (METH) has been taken by most abusers in China. There was a long methamphetamine abusing history until now, it could cause excitatory and hallucinogenic and bring serious consequences to the abusers. The consequence of methamphetamine abuse reflected in a serious damage to the nervous system, cardiovascular system and digestive system of abusers, the abnormal nervous system made abusers have strong dependence on this drug. Therefore, drug intervention to METH abuse has become an urgent problem to medical community and society. By now, there have been a variety of synthesis researches worked on western medicines and Chinese tradition medicines, which confirmed that they played important role in inhibiting dependence of methamphetamine abuse addiction, regulating or restoring the normal function of nervous and digestive systems. This study will take the relative mechanism of METH abuse causing body harm as the breakthrough point, then give a brief overview to aim at the specific role of drug intervention to the improvement of body's tissues and organs, and the regulation of related molecular mechanisms.

Gutka Mixed with Opium-A New Trend of Drug Abuse in Pakistan

Gutka Mixed with Opium-A New Trend of Drug Abuse in Pakistan

Differences between users' and addiction medicine experts' harm and benefit assessments of licit and illicit psychoactive drugs: Input for psychoeducation and legalization/restriction debates.

There is a lack of benefit/harm assessments of illicit and licit psychoactive substances performed by substance-dependent users in comparison to addiction medicine experts. We extended the analyses of substance harm/benefit assessments of German addiction medicine experts (N = 101), in parts reported recently in this journal [doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.59219], by the perspectives of substance-addicted persons. The same questionnaire as used for the abovementioned "experts-study" was handed out to inpatient detoxification or rehab treatment seeking German substance-dependent adults (N = 117) for a subsequent structured interview about harms and benefits of 33 new and traditional psychoactive substances comprising also prescription drugs. Both, users and experts, ranked the traditional illicit psychoactive substances heroin, cocaine and amphetamines within the top overall harm level group. Synthetic cannabinoids, alcohol and benzodiazepine were in a subordinate top-harm level position. Both cohorts also ranked methadone, nicotine and cannabis within the midrange and buprenorphine as well as psychotropic mushrooms within the lowest harm level positions. Experiences with prescription drugs (including opioidergic analgesics and gabapentinoids), cathinones, GHB, methamphetamine and methylphenidate was not prevalent in our user population. The same applied to barbiturates, propofol, kratom, ayahuasca with nearly zero assessments for each substance. The most user-experiences (>50% per assessed substance) were reported with nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and methadone (core group). The user's overall harm ratings in terms of these psychoactive substances were similar to those of the experts with the exception of the methadone assessment which was rated by the experts to be significantly less harmful if compared with the users' estimation (supposed "treatment bias" of experts). The users' benefit ratings for the traditional illicit psychoactive substances, cannabis as well as for nicotine were significantly more positive in comparison to those of the experts (supposed "attraction bias" of users). Both, experts and users, ranked the harms arising from the use of alcohol or benzodiazepines (usually unregulated substances) higher than the harms caused by the use of methadone, cannabis or psychotropic mushrooms (regulated by most Western narcotic acts). Users attributed the most benefits to buprenorphine, methadone and cannabis. This might reflect a main limitation of the study as the data are from an user population comprising over 50% patients who sought detoxification-treatment of opiates where methadone and buprenorphine are usual transient medications (supposed "selection bias"). This study addressed current trends of psychoactive substance abuse (e.g., synthetic cannabinoids, prescription drugs) and provides from both perspectives (that of the user and that of the addiction medicine experts) robust harm/benefit evaluations at least of a core group of psychoactive substances (traditional illicit psychoactive substances, cannabis, methadone, alcohol and nicotine). The results of this study can be valuable to the psychoeducation of substance-addicted individuals and to current restriction/legalization debates, especially in the Western-EU.

Trends in Substance Use and Abuse During COVID-19 Among the General Population.

COVID-19 pandemic has brought many public health issues, including substance use and abuse. Individuals abusing substances are vulnerable to severe infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as impairment of the immune system, mental health, and physical health. Despite considerable efforts to minimize and prevent substance use, the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit substances is ever increasing resulting in morbidity and mortality which significantly leads to socio-economic costs. A quantitative review of the literature searched in PubMed and Google Scholar databases yielded a total of 1416 studies among which 27 cross-sectional studies, conducted on the general population of 15 and above years of age, were selected based on the eligibility criteria. A sample of 1,021,118 individuals were investigated in this study. The most commonly used substances were marijuana (100%), methadone (69.86%), and large cigar (60%). A total of 26 substances were reported to have been used during pandemic, 13 of which showed trends in usage (increased/decreased/no change). Of the total sample, 45.89% were males, 54.14% females, and 1.28% others. Everyone and anyone is susceptible to alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use and abuse at different stages of their lives. Therefore, the need for effective preventive strategies is critical in community efforts to combat substance abuse. Combined efforts from local and global stakeholders will lead to curbing the issue of substance use and abuse worldwide.

A Cross Sectional Study to Assess Prevalence, Pattern,Trend and Impact of Substance Abuse among Medical Students

Background: Substance abuse remains a covert yet well known phenomenon among medicos and medical practitionersglobally, and Substance abuse assumes special significance among the medical students as they are the future medicalpractitioners and have a potential role in treating and counselling[4] the patients of substance abuse disorder. Medicaleducation has always been regarded as highly stressful[5]. Although, only the academic minded youth in the society tendto be selected for medical education, the stressful academic environment can exert a negative effect on the psychologicaland physical well being of medical students. The doctors are vulnerable to Substance abuse due to their ready accessibilityto the substance .Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 232 medical students of Karnataka Institute Of Medical Sciencesand various other medical colleges of Karnataka with the help of a structural questionnaire .Conclusion: It is observed that majority of the participants have adequate knowledge and practices regarding substanceabuse. But some fraction of them indulged in substance abuse despite knowing their ill effects. They use various substancessuch as alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes in various forms such as powders, inhalants, injections, liquid forms etc. Howevertrend towards increasing proportion of substance abuse was observed among students of medical field.The findingssuggest that substance abuse in medical students frequently precipitates severe lapses in professionalism and too oftenendangers the life of not only the students who are using it but also the life of peers and others they may care for/treatin the future.

Pattern and Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among Medical Interns of a Tertiary Care Hospital; South India

Background- Over the decades we are witnessing an increasing trends of substance abuse globally. Easy accessibility and work place stress adds on to the vulnerable medical students to indulge in various substance abuses. Here we aim to assess the pattern and prevalence of substance abuse among medical interns of a tertiary care hospital, Mangalore Karnataka. Methods- A cross sectional survey was conducted among consented 114 medical interns using a semi structured proforma in a tertiary care hospital, Mangalore Results- Prevalence of substance abuse were found to be 32% of which alcohol abuse was the highest followed by tobacco abuse and cannabis. Conclusion- Substance abuse was highly prevalent among medical students. Early intervention to curb the dependence pattern is very much essential as to maintain the integrity of medical fraternity.

Changes in the frequency and pattern of drugs detected among suspected drug users during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

From March 13 until May 31, 2020, a complete lockdown in Turkey was planned and implemented by the government of Turkey. The vulnerable population with substance use disorders was affected more than others due to the social isolation measures meant to control the pandemic. This study presents detailed and broad data on drug abuse in suspected cases during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and compares the frequencies and patterns of drug abuse before and during the pandemic. The samples were screened by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Blood and urine samples of suspected users (n = 9669) were analyzed for drugs of abuse during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and compared with their results (n = 8727) obtained just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of party drugs, such as MDMA and cocaine, and the classic illicit drug cannabis was significantly decreased and followed the same trend after complete lockdown was over. In contrast, methamphetamine use increased significantly during the lockdown period and continued after the lockdown. Interestingly, the number of tests that were positive for pregabalin as a misused licit drug increased, and this increase continued after the lockdown. The results showed a significant increase in drug abuse cases and changes in drug abuse trends, with an alteration toward more easily obtainable and lower-priced drugs. Using more dangerous and easily available licit and illicit drugs may cause serious health problems.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00414-022-02794-1.

Trend of substance abuse among medical students at University of Zagreb from 2008/2009 to 2018/2019

Abstract Background Risk behavior of youth could have adverse health outcomes in adulthood, with an impact on individual and general population health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trend of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and experimentation with illicit drugs among first year students at School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia. Methods Retrospective study included first year medical students, from academic year 2008/2009 to 2018/2019. Data were collected each academic year by anonymous questionnaire, and analysed by descriptive (χ2 test, Fisher's exact test) and analytical statistics (simple linear regression model using the least squares method, t-test) with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results Data analysis included a total of 3155 medical students (96.7%), 62.6% girls. Prevalence of daily smoking varied across generation from 11.6% in 2008/2009 to 9.6% in 2018/2019, and although a slight decline is observed, no statistically significant difference in daily smoking was found among generations of students from the academic year 2008/2009 to 2018/2019 (t-test=-0.169; P = 0.869). Prevalence of occasional smoking ranged from 12.0% in 2008/2009 to 18.1% in 2018/2019, and showed a statistically significant increase (t-test=3.064; P = 0.014), respectively. The prevalence of binge drinking ranged from 60.3% in 2008/2009 to 72.5% in 2018/2019, and showed a statistically significant increase (t-test=2.3515; P = 0.043) across generation. The prevalence of illicit drug experimentation varied from 17.9% in 2008/2009 to 34.4% in 2018/2019, and showed a statistically significant increase (t-test = 3.0798; P = 0.013) across generations. Conclusions Results showed increase in occasionally smoking, binge drinking and experimentation with illicit drugs among first-year medical students in the eleven-year period, and indicate the need of comprehensive public health interventions to reduce risky behavior in the student population. Key messages Occasionally smoking, binge drinking and experimentation with illicit drugs are increasing problem among students. Comprehensive public health interventions are needed to reduce risky behavior in the population of students and youth.

Evaluation of Medicine Abuse Trends in Community Pharmacies: The Medicine Abuse Observatory (MAO) in a Region of Southern Europe.

The misuse of medicines is a global public health concern that needs to be taken into consideration and requires actions across all government sectors and society. The aim of this study is to identify trends of drug abuse in Catalonia, a region of Spain located in the South of Europe. For this purpose, a questionnaire-based detection tool was created and implemented in 60 community pharmacies. Out of 548 questionnaires (98.4%), 64.2% of participants were men and the highest age proportion was 25–35 years (31.4%). Potential drug abuse was the highest in urban pharmacies (84.9%). The main drug class involved were benzodiazepines (31.8%), codeine (19.3%), tramadol (7.5%), methylphenidate (5.8%), gabapentinoids (5.8%), cycloplegic drops (4.4%), z-drugs (2.6%), piracetam (2.2%), dextromethorphan (1.6%) and clomethiazole (1.1%). The majority of drugs were requested without prescription (58.6%) and through probably forged prescriptions (23.7%). Slightly less than half (49.8%) of the patients request frequently to the pharmacist, especially in rural and mountain pharmacies (73.3% and 88.5%, respectively). A small proportion (10.8%) were requested with intimidation. Pharmacists only supplied in 21.7% of the cases. This study has demonstrated the suitability of the new detection system, being a useful approach to replicate in other locations with similar needs.

English

BACKGROUND Substance abuse is a cause of deaths, global burden of disease and injury. Increasing trends of underage substance abuse have shown to be associated with future substance dependency. Understanding various factors associated with it will help mitigate the severity and extent of use. In this study, we wanted to find out the pattern of substance abuse in patients at a de-addiction centre in Bangalore. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 male patients admitted to a deaddiction centre in Bangalore. Information was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire forms and the collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) v 16.0 software. RESULTS The majority of the participants abused alcohol (92.4 %) and nicotine (74.2 %). 40.5 % of the participants initiated alcohol abuse in age groups of 12 – 18 (Years). Peer pressure (40.4 %) and curiosity (19 %) were observed as the most common reason for substance abuse. The common reason to seek de-addiction services was family pressure (22.4 %), physical health problems (14.2 %), family responsibility (12.4 %) fear of being a social outcast in the community (12 %) and psychiatric problems (10.6 %). Among the participants, 39.4 % had a family history of substance abuse and 41 % had a history of psychiatric illness. 47.4 % reported a history of child abuse. CONCLUSIONS Most participants initiated abuse before age of 25 mainly due to peer pressure. Proper enforcement of rules concerning under-aged substance abuse, proper peer and familial support, addressing concerns of psychiatric comorbidity and child abuse can decrease the chances of future dependency and thus lessen the burden of the problem. KEYWORDS De-Addiction Centre, Under-Aged Substance Abuse, Family History, Psychiatric Illness

Increased prevalence of sodium nitrite suicides in South Australia

Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is a water-soluble, white-yellow coloured crystalline powder with broad industrial applications.1 In Australia, it has also been used to humanely control growth of feral pig populations.2 While several cases of accidental consumption have been reported in the literature, sodium nitrite has recently emerged as an increasingly popular method of pharmacological suicide. This method has been recommended in The Peaceful Pill Handbook3 with additional information and ‘suicide kits’ available online. Between 2000 and 2019, 10 cases of intentional sodium nitrite ingestion were identified from records at Forensic Science South Australia and the National Coronial Information System. All 10 cases occurred in the latter 3 years of the study period. All decedents had a history of depression or chronic illness and demonstrated characteristic post-mortem signs of methemoglobinaemia (blue-grey post-mortem hypostasis and dark brown discolouration of blood and internal organs). This study highlights a significant emerging public health issue. Awareness of emerging fatal substance abuse trends, clinical symptoms and post-mortem signs by health professionals and forensic pathologists is critical to effectively identifying these cases at presentation and autopsy. 1.Benowitz N. Nitrates and nitrites. In: Olsen K, editor. Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2018; 339–40.2.Shapiro L, Eason C, Bunt C, et al. Efficacy of encapsulated sodium nitrite as a new tool for feral pig management. J Pest Sci 2016; 89: 489–95.3.Nitschke P, Stewart F. The Peaceful Pill eHandbook. Blaine, WA: Exit International, 2018.

Changing Trend of Psychoactive Drug Abuse among Adolescent Students in South Eastern Nigeria

Background: Recent report suggests a new trend of psychoactive substance abuse among the youths. Cocktail of candies and beverages, methylated spirit and soda, Tramadol, “Lacatomtom”, “Msquared”, “Skoochies”, “Omi Gutter”, “Ginko”, and other lethal cocktail of beverages, drugs and candies, food additives and soft drinks are gradually taking over from earlier documented substances of abuse. These materials appear harmless but on a closer evaluation of their abusers, varying degrees of poor school functioning (school absenteeism, poor academic performance, and even outright dropout), deteriorating physical health and increase rate of psychopathology will be observed. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report of 2014 estimated that 12% of the world’s population used one or more drugs in the preceding year and this accounts for 39 million people greater than the previous year. Despite concerted efforts at reducing this worrisome trend, newer and difficult to detect substances of abuse are now been abused/. Materials seen before now as safe have become key instruments used by adolescents in lethal combinations to feel high. These materials are difficult to detect as available test kits are unable to pick them. Relying on self-reported account of substance abusers may under-estimate the prevalence of substance abuse among this group of individuals. This study was aimed at describing the trend of psychoactive drug abuse in the south-eastern part of Nigeria, to enable policy makers tailor preventive efforts at curbing the worrisome trend of adolescent substance abuse appropriately. This would ensure an effective reduction of adolescent substance abuse in the region and the country at large. Objective: To determine the pattern of psychoactive substance abuse among adolescent students in Umuahia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 400 adolescent school students in urban and rural communities in Umuahia. Substance abuse status was established by self-report (using a modified WHO student drug use questionnaire) and urine toxicology screen (using Icup 6 test kits). Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. These data were presented in prose, tables, and figures. P values ≤0.05were accepted as significant. Results: Out of 400 participants, a total of 209 (52.3%) were boys and 191 (47.8%) respondents were girls. Only participants who completed their questionnaires were encouraged to submit their UDT. The study revealed that the life time prevalence of psychoactive substance abuse was 91.3%, current prevalence 56.8% and UDT obtained rate was 38.5%. Coffee was the most abused by self-report with a current rate of 32.0%, followed by kolanut and cannabis at 18.8% each and cocaine being the least at 0.8%. Oxycodone was the most abused by UDT at 24.8%, followed by cannabis at 19.3%, Tramadol at 6.3% and cocaine at 1.5%.Cannabis was the most combined drug and 31.2% of abusers, abused multiple substances. Pattern of abuse by current self-report revealed that coffee, kolanut, cannabis, Lacatomtom, Tramadol, Alcohol, Tobacco and cocaine were most abused while UDT showed Oxycodone, cannabis, methamphetamine, opioid and cocaine were most abused. Coffee, kolanut and cannabis were most self-reportedly abused substance among rural students while oxycodone and methamphetamine were the most abused drugs among this group of students. Conclusion: The study revealed that the prevalence of self-reported lifetime and current abuse of psychoactive substances were 91.3% and 56.8% respectively with coffee as the most currently abused and UDT obtained prevalence of 38.5% with oxycodone as most obtained. The pattern of abuse of psychoactive substances is gradually changing from previously known and detectable substances to cheaper and other difficult to detect cocktail of psychoactive materials. Recommendation: Policy makers need to urgently incorporate drug preventive measures and random urine drug screening programs in the school curriculum to reduce drug demand by our adolescents in school.

Editorial: New Trends of Substance Abuse: Looking for New Psychotropic Effects of Chem Sex Drugs, Cognitive Enhancers, and New Psychoactive Substances

Editorial: New Trends of Substance Abuse: Looking for New Psychotropic Effects of Chem Sex Drugs, Cognitive Enhancers, and New Psychoactive Substances