USE OF DRUGS AMONG STREET CHILDREN IN BRAZIL

The purpose of this study has been to assess drug consumption among ch ildren in five Brazilian state capitals during 1993. The sample was co mposed of street children who were given assistance in institutions, a nd data was collected by means of anonymous individual interviews. Fiv e hundred sixty five boys and girls were interviewed: 74.3% reported h aving used drugs (not including alcohol and tobacco) at least once in their life. Solvents, followed by marijuana, were the most cited drugs . important regional differences were observed concerning other drugs. Consumption of cocaine, including crack, seems restricted to the sout heast region, whereas psychotropic medication was consumed more in the northeast of the country. Drug initiation among these children seems to be a consequence of street life and is part of their group lifestyl e.