Abstract

DUARTE ALARCON, Carolina et al. MOTIVATIONS AND RESOURCES FOR THE CONSUMTION OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCCES BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.1, pp.92-104. ISSN 0121-7577.

Purpose: to describe the use of psychoactive substances -PS- (alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs) in Colombian young university students and to analyze its relation with motivations and the availability of resources for consumption. Method: 1,811 students from six Colombian universities between 15 and 24 years old (M=19.6; SD=2.0) participated. Participants were selected intentionally and they answered the subscale of psychoactive substances consumption from the "College Youth Lifestyle Questionnaire". Result: 20% of the students report using alcohol at least once a week; 13% smoke at least once daily, and 4% consume illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, heroine, popper, other hallucinogens) at least once a week. Feeling better, reducing stress or anxiety and feeling new sensations were motives to use PS. Those who have a higher use of PS think that they could change their practices but are not sure of doing so. Substance use is higher in students who have money to buy them, in those who know where to buy them in the university and close to it, and in those who go to places where they can get them. Conclusions: From the results, the importance of redirecting drug consumption prevention strategies used in universities is discussed, considering the main motives and resources related to it.

Keywords : Drugs; young adult; primary prevention.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )