Abstract
Introduction: Substance abuse is the recent trend among college students. Studies conducted in India shows clear indications of increasing prevalence of substance abuse among adolescents.
Aims and Objectives:To assess the practice prevalence and consequences of drug abuse among adolescent students.
Materials and Methods: This Institution based cross-sectional study conducted in different schools and colleges of Mangalore. Institutions were randomly picked with pen drop method and 5 institution students were selected as study subjects. Totally 487 students between institutions were selected, the age group of 15-25 years were included in the study. The data was collected by means of answering a pretested validated questionnaire with anonymity.
Result: According to our study the results showed that 8.60% have tried some substance of abuse such as marijuana (5.51%), LSD (1.10%), cocaine (1.32%) and others (1.76%). Among the Substance users, 1.54% used it regularly, 1.76% occasionally and 2.20% only once. 33.03% said it has affected their daily activities and academics 21.05% had picked up a quarrel with friends, family or detained by police.
Conclusion: Caffeine consumption in the form coffee is quite common amongst the students as a habit. Marijuana is the most popular drug among the small fraction of students who have tried drugs. Most of them tried it first in college, mainly being influenced by peers.
Keywords
Substance abuse - adolescents - caffeine use
