title: Use of licit and illicit drugs at the University of Alfenas.
abstract: This paper reports the study of drug consumption carried out within the population of undergraduate students from 2 colleges of Alfenas, in the state of Minas Gerais state. Both licit and illicit drugs were studied, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack, inhalants, glue, tranquilizers, stimulants, and others.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research included a wide bibliographical search and the application of a questionnaire to approximately 23% of the students (total of 6500 students).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1500 students participated in this investigation. The results demonstrated that there was a significant consumption of both licit and illicit drugs. The pattern of drug consumption in the research sample was similar to other investigations conducted in Brazil and in other countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was observed that 55% of the university students use drugs. However, the most surprising finding was that most of the students (88%) answered "yes" to the inquiry, "Have you already tried any type of drug, including alcohol and cigarettes?" The students revealed that they had taken drugs even prior to the admission to the university. The results suggest clearly that the university environment does not necessarily represent the starting point for student drug consumption.
authors.affiliation: Biology and Physiology Lab of Microorganisms, University of Alfenas, Alfenas/Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Evangelista
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fiorini
authors.forename: Adriana Luiza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Luciano Resende
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Celso Maia
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fiorini
authors.forename: Sandro Willian
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Durães
authors.forename: Ricardo Luiz Diniz
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos do
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Andréa Mantelo Vicente
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Geraldini
authors.forename: Cássia de Fátima
authors.initials: Cde F
authors.lastname: Ortiz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs