[Use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs by adolescents--a questionnaire survey among 9th grade students].

INTRODUCTION

For the planning of further substance abuse prevention programs it is necessary to obtain data about the patterns of region-specific substance use in adolescents.

METHOD

In 2002 a questionnaire survey on substance use among the 9 (th) graders of all school types in the city and in the county of Regensburg was carried out (mean age 15,3 years, N = 1580).

RESULTS

The first substance ever used by adolescents are cigarettes, starting at an average age of 12.2 years. 30 % of the students are current daily smokers with 43 % fulfilling criteria of nicotine dependence. When used several times per week 53 % regard the use of spirits being very dangerous, whereas the same rate considers the danger of drinking wine or beer at the same frequency being rather small. The level of information about institutions offering help for substance abuse and dependence problems is being considered as poor or zero by 67 %.

DISCUSSION

The primary prevention of smoking as early as possible should be a priority of school-based prevention programs. The study also reveals a deficit of information on substances and institutions offering help for substance abuse and dependence problems which should be faced in school lessons.