Epidemiologic Study on Drug Abuse among First and Second Grade High School Students in Kerman

Abstract Background: This study investigated the epidemiology of drug abuse among high school students in Kerman. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on a randomly selected sample of ۶۵۲ first and second grade high school students (۲۵۶ boys, ۳۹۶ girls) in Kerman. They were informed that their answers would be classified and nameless before they filled questionnaires. Schools and classes were selected using stratified sampling method. Findings: From total ۶۵۲ students participated in this study, ۳۹.۲% (۲۵۶) were boys and ۶۰.۷% (۳۹۶) were girls. Most of the students had information about opium (۷۰.۷% of boys and ۷۹.۸% of girls), and then alcohol (۵۵.۹% of boys and ۵۳.۹% of girls). Most offered substance to the students was alcohol (۲۵% in boys and ۱۲.۴% in girls). The most effective encouragement for using drugs was through their friends (۳۹% in boys, ۱۶.۹% in girls). The most used drug was alcohol among boys (۱۱.۴%) and sedative tablets among girls (۱۲.۲%). Boys preferred to use drugs in wedding ceremonies (۱۱.۳%) but girls proffered their houses (۴.۸%). The first reason for using drugs was socializing with unsavory friends (۲۹.۴%) and the second one was domestic problems (۲۱.۴%). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated dangerously increase of drug abuse among teenagers, who are the future of the society. If these results could be generalized, authorities must think of serious solutions for this rising problem. Keywords: Substance abuse, Students, Narcotics