[Changes in the age of onset of cannabis use: results of the 2nd Swiss Health Survey 1997].
OBJECTIVE
Based on data from the second Swiss Health Survey conducted in 1997, the present study investigates changes in the onset of cannabis use and associated consequences.


METHODS
Telephone interviews were conducted with 7743 individuals aged 15 to 49 years. Life time prevalences, onsets of illicit drugs use, and cessation of cannabis use were investigated.


RESULTS
Using survival analysis, the study shows that, in Switzerland onset into the use of cannabis has decreased by almost nine months between 1992 and 1997 down to 15.83 years old. An early onset is associated with higher prevalences of other illicit drug use (e.g., cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens), and early onsets into the use of these drugs. Similarly, cessation of cannabis use is less frequent in early onset users.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are discussed in the light of increasing prevalences of cannabis use and the discussion about an increasing legalization, respectively depenalization, of cannabis use in Switzerland.
Müller
Sandra
S
Schweizerische Fachstelle für Alkohol und andere Drogenprobleme, Lausanne.
Gmel
Gerhard
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013557:Switzerland
D013287:Illicit Drugs
Veränderungen des Einstiegsalters in den Cannabiskonsum: Ergebnisse der zweiten Schweizer Gesundheitsbefragung 1997.