The role of information as a preventive measure to the drug use among young people at risk

Author(s)

Zila van der Meer Sanchez ^[1] ; Lúcio Garcia de Oliveira ^[2] ; Luciana Abeid Ribeiro ^[3] ; Solange Aparecida Nappo ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Centro Brasileiro de Informações sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas

^[2] Centro de Informações sobre Saúde e Álcool

^[3] Centro Brasileiro de Informações sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas

^[4] Centro Brasileiro de Informações sobre Drogas Psicotrópicas

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Ciênc. saúde coletiva; v. 15, n. 3, p. 699-708, 2010-05-00.

Abstract

Illicit drug consumption among youngsters is a public health concern that requires attention. However, little research has highlighted the importance of "drug information availability" among protection factors. The aim of this article is to identify, from the point of view of youngsters at risk, what factors could prevent them to try illicit drugs, focusing on the importance of "drug information availability". An intentional sample was selected, composed by 62 youngsters divided into two groups: (NU) non illicit users N=32 and (U) users N=30. The sample was recruited through key-informants and "snowball" and each participant was submitted to an in-depth semi-structured interview. According to NU "drug information availability" was reported as the main protector factor. Family-based information was the main source of knowledge followed by observation of the drug negative consequences on lives of friends who have already consumed illicit drugs in a regular-basis. Among users, it was reported a lack of drug knowledge or availability of partial information. We can conclude that among youngsters at risk, drug information availability is the main protection factor against experimental and regular drug consumption. Family based information was reported as its main source. (AU)