PREVALENCE AND RELATED RISK-FACTORS OF LICIT AND ILLICIT SUBSTANCES USE BY ADOLESCENT STUDENTS IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN

Deleterious health sequelae caused by licit and illicit substance use is a serious problem in our society. Adolescent students and particula rly those who are prone to substance use are of special concern in the prevention of drag abuse. The purpose of this study was to investigat e the prevalence of alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and illicit d rug use and to identify the risk factors related to these habits among adolescent students. A total of 1358 adolescent students aged 16-18 y old were recruited into this study via stratified random sampling fro m a vocational school in Kaohsiung city. Students were asked to comple te a structured questionnaire anonymously and a 96.7% response rate wa s achieved. Prevalence of substances use was estimated as follows: alc ohol drinking, 70.7% (boys 75.1%, girls 51.4%); tobacco smoking, 56% ( boys 61.8%, girls 30.2%); illicit drug use 6.4% (boys 6.6%, girls 5.6% ). Significant risk factors that emerged as common correlates with sub stances use were behaviour problems, non-negative attitude toward pare nt's substance use, and peer influence. A dose-response relationship w as found between the prevalence of drinking, smoking, illicit drug use and the number of risk factors adolescents were exposed to. Preventio n of adolescent substance abuse should be attempted and risk factors s hould be reduced. An educational approach is essential not only to gai n/impart knowledge of substance abuse, but also to develop an effectiv e program for health and social development.