CONSUMO DE SUSTANCIAS PSICOACTIVAS EN LA UNIVERSIDAD TECNOLóGICA DE PEREIRA, COLOMBIA

Introduction: this article presents the results of a study of the prevalence of the consumption of psychoactive substances in the Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira UTP.Methods: a survey of the life styles of the students was designed and applied to 1,014 students in a population of 10,145 of the 24 different schools of the Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, and it was analyzed with the aid of specialized software.Results: it was calculated that the total prevalence of the consumption of one or more illegal substances was 16.5%. Also, it was proven that the substances with greater prevalence of usage were: marihuana 10.0%, inhalable substances 7.8% and ecstasy 2.2.Conclusion: percentagewise, the consumption of psychoactive substances in the UTP is greater than in the entire Colombian population. This tendency is also validated if only young people of ages 18 - 24 are to be considered on a national level. The list of traditional drugs used by young people has extended to a very large variety of psychoactive substances, which are readily accessible at the University. A large percentage of the consumption of substances was associated with the free time that the students have: 30.3% in discos, bars, parties, amusement and in a very low percentage was associated with psychological problems 2.9%.