Prevalence and risk factors for drug use and dependence in university students from Medellín, Colombia, 2009

Objective: to determine the prevalence and risk factors for druguse and dependence among students at a university in Medellín,Colombia. Methodology: an analytical study in which 1264students were surveyed using a random sampling, stratified bythe number of students in each academic unit of a universitylocated in Medellín. Information on sociodemographic,academic, health, and consumption variables was collected;drug dependence was assessed using the validated Colombianversion of the Drug Use Screening Inventory. Results: themean age was 20.8±2.7 years; the lifetime prevalence of drug use amounted to 41.8%; the main motivation was satisfyingcuriosity (83.9%), and the most commonly used drug wasmarijuana (36.3%). The Risk factors found in this studywere attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, depression,anxiety, and identification with peers, teachers, or relatives.Discussion: although the rate of drug use at least once in life ishigher in this university when compared to other universitiesfrom the Colombian Andean region, the rate of dependencewas found to be only 2%. Having a medium-term life project isa protective factor against drug use and dependence.