Tobacco, betel quid, alcohol, and illicit drug use among 13-to 35-year-olds in I-Lan, rural Taiwan: Prevalence and risk factors

Objectives,. This study determined the prevalence of and risk factors for s ubstance use among rural Taiwanese. Methods. We used a survey of a representative sample of 6318 participants a ged 13 to 35 years in I-Lan, Taiwan, in 1996 through 1997. Results. Perceived use of illicit drugs by peers, tobacco smoking, betel qu id chewing, and male gender were the strongest predictors of illicit drug u se. The prevalence of illicit drug use ranged from 0.3% among those who did not use any other substance to 7.1% among those using tobacco, betel quid, and alcohol, Conclusions. Preventive measures should address substance use in general ra ther than aiming at single substances.