Drug use among Brazilian adolescents: National Survey of School Health

Abstract

The use of psychoactive substances, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs, during adolescence is still quite common and can cause short- and long-term health consequences. The present study estimated the prevalence of illicit drug experimentation and use during the previous 30 days among Brazilian schoolchildren and identified associated factors. Secondary data came from the National Survey of School Health, including students aged 13-17 years from public and private elementary and high schools. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed factors associated with illicit drug experimentation and recent use. Overall, 5.15% (95% CI: 4.77-5.55) reported using drugs on one or more days in the previous month, while 13.03% (95% CI: 12.44-13.65) reported lifetime experimentation with marijuana, cocaine, crack, glue, loló, lança-perfume, ecstasy, oxi, MD, skank, or other drugs. Experimentation was more likely among adolescents aged 16-17 years (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 2.19-2.78), tobacco users (OR: 3.39; 95% CI: 2.96-3.89), alcohol users (OR: 2.40; 95% CI: 2.18-2.70), and those who had witnessed friends using drugs (OR: 5.39; 95% CI: 4.82-6.03). These findings emphasize the need for integrated school, family, and community prevention strategies that address substance use, peer influence, early intervention, and older adolescents, while strengthening protective behaviors throughout this critical developmental period.