Perceived norms among university students about their peers and drug use at a Chilean university

Authors

  • Julia Ramirez Castillo Demand Reduction Section; Departamento de Enfermería
  • John Cunningham University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Bruna Brands University of Toronto; Center for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Canada and Public Health and Regulatory Policies
  • Carol Strike University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Maria da Gloria Miotto Wright Organization of American States; Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; Demand Reduction Section

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700023

Keywords:

substance-related disorders, university students

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between perceived norms about drug use among peers and actual use among university students. This is a qualitative, multicenter study involving sophomore and junior students of the health courses of a Chilean university. Participants were 286 (75.2%) of the total 380 university students. RESULTS: more than 50% of the students notice that their peers smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, drink alcohol three times a week, and use marijuana once a week and cocaine at least once a year. The university campus it place of highest drug use; cocaine is used at a friend's house. Among students, 68% have smoked once in their life, 57% smoke on a daily basis; 88% have had alcohol once in their life; 26% used marijuana once in their life, 16% used marijuana over the last 12 months. Students do not know about any university policies for drug use. Some results confirm that drug use is underestimated.

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Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 17 (2009): Número Especial

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Perceived norms among university students about their peers and drug use at a Chilean university. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(spe), 907-912. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700023