Illicit drugs use in Georgian students; pilot study rigorously following criteria of European School Project on Alcohol and Other Drug.
The main purpose of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) is to collect comparable data on substance use among 15-16 year-old European students in order to monitor trends within as well as between countries. This summary presents key results from the Alcohol Use in Georgian Students, pilot study rigorously following Criteria of European School Project on Alcohol and Other Drug (ESPAD). The survey was conducted according to a standardized methodology and with a standardized questionnaire. Data were collected during February 2009 and the target population was Tbilisi students in the 10-th grade (93% born in 1992), with a mean age of 16.1 years at the time of data collection. Data were collected by group-administered questionnaires. The students answered the questionnaires anonymously in the classroom with researchers. 22% of the surveyed students perceive cannabis to be easily available, and boys consider cannabis slightly more accessible than girls do, the gender difference is rather big (31% vs.13%). Amphetamines and ecstasy are not perceived to be as easily available as cannabis. On average, 33% of the boys and 8% of the girls have tried illicit drugs at least once during their lifetime (20% for all students). After cannabis, ecstasy is in second position, being mentioned by 7.5% of the students and the figure for amphetamines is about 2%. Lifetime use of crack was reported by fewer students (1.1%) and the rate for heroin was even lower (1%). Lifetime cocaine and heroine experiences were reported by 0.6% of the students on average. Just as few reported experience of GHB and anabolic steroids or drug use by intravenous administration. Since cannabis is the most frequently used illicit drug, it could be worthwhile to have a closer look at this substance. Use of cannabis in the past 12 months was reported by 17% of the boys and 3% of the girls (10% for all students) while use in the past 30 days was stated by 6.5% of the boys and 0.8% of the girls (3% mean). Using drugs is less problematic in Tbilisi adolescents but still needs urgent public health interventions. The consumption level among adults and their attitudes towards the substance in question can be one factor that affects use among teenagers. So may the magnitude of information and preventive efforts. Availability, not only in physical terms but also in financial terms, is another factor. Other, less substance-related, factors include the general level of health awareness in a population and the social and economic structures and conditions of individual communities. The study results show the importance of knowledge on these issues and therefore including the healthy lifestyle subject in school curricula. The need to repeat this exercise at regular intervals is important in order to be aware of newer trends and to serve as a basis for policy direction and change.
Gamkrelidze
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National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, (NCDC&PH).
Baramidze
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Sturua
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Galdava
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D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic) / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires