# Observatório AlenRiscos - Prevention of the consumption of psychoactive substances among adolescents 3rd cycle

## TL;DR

This study tracks substance use trends among 7th and 9th graders from 2016 to 2022, finding alcohol is most consumed, with rising use of solvents and decreasing tobacco and alcohol use over time.

## Contribution

The study provides longitudinal insights into adolescent substance use patterns and emerging trends in solvent consumption in Portugal.

## Key findings

- Alcohol remains the most consumed psychoactive substance among adolescents, followed by drugs and tobacco.
- There is a notable increase in the consumption of glue, varnish, and solvents, surpassing cannabis/hashish consumption.
- Substance use tends to start in early adolescence within social contexts and increases with age.

## Abstract

to assess the prevalence and factors associated with psychoactive substance consumption among 7th and 9th grade students.

an exploratory observational study, through the application of an online self-completion questionnaire, from 2016 to 2022, to 12,767 students.

tobacco, alcohol and drug consumption fluctuated, with alcohol being the most consumed substance by young people, followed by drugs and, lastly, tobacco. The study revealed a downward trend in tobacco and alcohol consumption among adolescents. There was a notable increase in glue, varnish and solvent consumption, which surpassed consumption cannabis/hashish consumption.

initial substance consumption occurs predominantly in a social context and begins in early adolescence. The propensity to consume increases as students age, with higher consumption being noted among older adolescents.

avaliar a prevalência e os fatores associados ao consumo de substâncias psicoativas entre estudantes do 7º e 9º ano de escolaridade.

estudo exploratório observacional, através da aplicação de um questionário de autopreenchimento online, durante o periodo de 2016 a 2022, para 12.767 estudantes.

o consumo relativo ao tabaco, álcool e drogas sofreu oscilações, sendo o álcool a substância mais consumida pelos jovens, seguida das drogas e, por último, o tabaco. O estudo revelou uma tendência decrescente no consumo de tabaco e álcool entre os adolescentes. Regista-se, de forma notória, um consumo substancialmente elevado de colas, vernizes e solventes, ultrapassando o consumo de cannabis/haxixe.

o consumo inicial de substâncias ocorre predominantemente em contexto social, e inicia-se em uma fase prematura da adolescência. A propensão ao consumo aumenta com o avançar da idade dos estudantes, sendo notório um consumo mais elevado entre os adolescentes mais velhos.