# Adolescents’ discourse on the consumption of psychoactive substances in schools

## TL;DR

This study explores how adolescents in public schools perceive the use of psychoactive substances, revealing mixed attitudes and knowledge gaps.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into adolescent perceptions of psychoactive substance use in Brazilian public schools through qualitative methods.

## Key findings

- Adolescents showed acceptance and easy access to legal psychoactive substances in school environments.
- Participants expressed doubts and knowledge gaps regarding substance use.
- The study highlights the need for participatory health promotion actions in schools.

## Abstract

to understand the perception of adolescents in public schools regarding the use of psychoactive substances.

a qualitative exploratory study, carried out at a public school with 14 adolescents. Data were collected through a self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire and focus group, in which a semi-structured script of questions was used, organized according to the Discourse of the Collective Subject.

adolescents’ perceptions about the use of psychoactive substances revealed judgments, doubts and knowledge gaps. Participants’ daily lives were marked by greater acceptance, easy access and consumption of legal chemical substances in the territory, including in school environments.

it is necessary to enhance school environments with participatory, horizontal and intersectoral actions for prevention and health promotion that include students, families and the school, aiming at reflection on drug use and lifestyles, and the redefinition of concepts and perceptions.

conhecer a percepção de adolescentes inseridos no contexto escolar público sobre o uso de substâncias psicoativas.

estudo exploratório qualitativo, realizado em uma escola pública com 14 adolescentes. Os dados foram coletados através de questionário sociodemográfico autoaplicável e grupo focal, no qual se utilizou um roteiro semiestruturado de perguntas, organizados conforme o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo.

as percepções dos adolescentes sobre o uso de substâncias psicoativas revelaram julgamentos, dúvidas e lacunas de conhecimento. Evidenciou-se o cotidiano dos participantes permeado pela maior aceitação, fácil acesso e consumo de substâncias químicas lícitas no território, inclusive no ambiente escolar.

faz-se necessário potencializar o ambiente escolar com ações participativas, horizontais e intersetoriais de prevenção e promoção da saúde que incluam estudantes, familiares e escola, visando à reflexão sobre uso de drogas e estilos de vida, e à ressignificação de conceitos e percepções.