[Development of a program of prevention of drug dependence in school children]

Abstract

Objective: To promote healthy habits of behaviour among school-children so that they reject drug-taking and learn to identify high-risk situations.

Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Setting: The Amorós private school in Carabanchel, in Madrid's Health District XI.

Patients and other participants: 45 pupils from the eighth year of basic, aged between 13 and 14.

Measurements and main results: Quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative indicators were: number of students who attended the activities organised, their level of participation, the number of new terms, increase in knowledge. Qualitative indicators were the oral poll of class leaders, attainment of objectives, later evaluation of changes in attitude towards drug-takers and collages among the initiatives after the course. Drug-taking usually starts in the family context, leisure situations and peers. In this study isolated consumption was also detected. Most commonly consumed drugs were: caffeine, tobacco (mainly Virginia), alcohol occasionally, and cannabis.

Conclusions: The type and form of drug-taking found is very similar to that of other, Spaniards of the same age. We found children who were not drug-takers, but were anxious about this because they "wanted to try out drugs".