Abstract
Student drug use has been investigated in many countries and a standard method of conducting such surveys is described here. Using an adapted World Health Organization questionnaire patterns of drug use were investigated among the population of secondary school students in Bermuda (N=3,930). The prevalence of use of alcohol and eight illicit drugs is described and related to students’ attitudes, life-styles and demographic characteristics. Factors such as age, sex, race, parental use of alcohol, leisure time activities, allowances and beliefs about drugs all emerge (as they have in other studies) as strongly related to drug use. It is concluded that though these cross cultural similarities exist, there are important sub-cultural differences in drug use patterns which reflect social dynamics and characteristics within communities. It is suggested that a focus on sub-cultural differences may be particularly valuable in future research.
Résumé
La recherche sur l’usage des drogues parmi les élèves et étudiants s’est répandues à travers de nombreux pays; une méthode type pour la conduite d’enquêtes dans le domaine est présentée ici. A l’aide d’un instrument adapté d’un questionnaire de l’O.M.S. une enquête a été conduite auprès de 3930 élèves fréquentant un établissement du second degré aux Bermudes. La consommation principale d’alcool ainsi que l’usage de huit drogues interdites sont mises en rapport avec les attitudes, les styles de vie et les caractéristiques démographiques des sujets. D’autres facteurs classiques comme l’âge, le sexe, la race, la consommation d’alcool des parents, les types d’activité de loisir, les tolérances et croyances à propos de la drogue, apparaissent associés à la consommation de substances nocives. Quoique ces tendances s’observent dans tous les pays une grande attention doit être portée aux différences entre sub-cultures, différences reflétant la dynamique sociale propre à chaque communauté.
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The study reported here is an outcome of part of the work of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Use and Misuse of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs, under the direction of the Royal Commissioner, Dr. David Archibald.
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West, M. Student drug use in Bermuda. Eur J Psychol Educ 2, 327–336 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03172619
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03172619