[National study of drug habits in Uruguay].

The results of a prevalence study of alcohol abuse and drugs use in the general population of the República Oriental del Uruguay are showed here. A national household sample was drawn from the most important urban areas and 2500 persons, aged between 15 and 65 years, were selected and interviewed. Illicit substances use (include use of any of the following: marihuana, cocaine, inhalants, hallucinogens) reached 4.5% for the lifetime prevalence period, 1.1% in the last twelve months and 0.7% for the last thirty day. Twenty percent of the sample classified for tobacco dependence, and alcohol abuse, in the last 30 days, was 19.5%. Significant associations, by sex and age, were found.