Do Swiss adolescents perceive the negative effects of their illegal substance use?

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State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_4846F53648A1
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Do Swiss adolescents perceive the negative effects of their illegal substance use?
Journal
Swiss Medical Weekly
Author(s)
Gaille Michael, Bélanger Richard E., Michaud Pierre-André
ISSN
1424-3997 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0036-7672
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2011
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
141
Pages
w13194 [5 p.]
Language
english
Abstract
This study explores adolescents' perceptions of adverse consequences linked to their illegal psychoactive substance (IPS) use, as they are often thought to minimise them. From a Swiss nationally representative sample of 8740 adolescents aged 16 to 20 pursuing post-mandatory education, 2515 participants reported IPS use in the past month on a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. The percentages of participants reporting problems in four areas (individual, school, relationships and sexual) were assessed, depending on the type of IPS consumption over the last 30 days: occasional cannabis users: ≤2 times; regular cannabis users: ≥3 times; and poly-consumers: cannabis plus at least one other substance used. The percentages varied significantly across these three groups with 26.9% of occasional users, 53.8% of regular users, and 73.3% of poly-consumers reporting at least one problem. Compared to occasional cannabis users, poly-consumers were more likely to report problems in all four categories [relative risk ratio (RRR): 3.38 to 5.44], while regular cannabis users often reported only school and relationship problems [RRR: 2.43 to 3.23]. Thus, many adolescents seem to perceive the negative effects of their IPS use, with heavier consumption being associated with increasing problems. Physicians should feel confident questioning adolescents on the adverse consequences of their IPS consumption, as they are likely to be responsive on this issue.
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
01/06/2011 11:39
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:55
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