Objective: The purpose of this study was to know the use of addictive substances by adolescents of the city of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).
Patients and methods: Data were obtained from an anonymous and self-administered questionnaire about tobacco use, alcohol use and non-institutionalized drug abuse. participants were students in 3 degrees BUP (16-17 years old) of twelve institutes that are representative of the different districts of the city. The survey was made during the 1991-1992 school year.
Results: Among the 426 individuals included, 32.2% reported use of tobacco, 59.2% alcohol, and 16.4% marijuana. Tobacco use was higher among females (p = 0.05), and that of alcohol (p < 0.0001) and other drugs (p = 0.02) higher among males. The parents' smoking behavior was significantly associated with the use of non-institutionalized drugs (p = 0.01). There was a positive and significant association among the use of all three kinds of addictive substances (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and non-institutionalized drug use by students in this age range is high. Compared with previous studies in this population we can appreciate a decreasing trend of use.