Evaluation of medical students' knowledge of psychoactive substances in the context of their future role in addiction prevention and therapy

This study assesses the knowledge of medical students on the health effects of the use of psychoactive substances, in the context of their future role in prevention and treatment of addictions. The study was conducted using a questionnaire containing questions about classification, symptoms and effects of psychoactive substances, and the existing prevention programs. The study involved 430 students of medicine and allied faculties. Only 20.8% of medicine students and 12.5% of students of other faculties could correctly classify different psychoactive substances. Correct symptoms of drug misuse were mentioned by 20.4% of medicine students and 19.2% of students of other faculties. The overall knowledge of medical students was no greater than the knowledge of students of other allied faculties. Medical students showed insufficient knowledge about psychoactive substances and their effects on the human body, thus indicating the need to introduce into their study programme a more teaching in this area.