Prevalence of substance use among Iranian high school students

Aims: This study assessed the rate of substance use among Iranian high school students. Participants: 397 high school students (200 girls and 197 boys) were selected randomly and were assessed. Measurements: A confidential questionnaire was distributed, completed by the students, and collected in the same sessions in 2000. Results: The mean ages for high school girls and boys were 15.85 and 17.28 years, respectively. Of the subjects, 30.23% reported usage of substance(s) once or more sometime during their lives: cigarettes (25.4%), alcohol (9.6%), opium (3.5%), hashish (2.8%), marijuana (1%), heroin (2%), LSD (0.5%), cocaine (1%), and morphine (0.8%). Only 13.86% of the students were currently using substances: cigarettes (8.3%), heroin (1%), morphine (0.3%), alcohol (4.3%), opium (0.8%), LSD (0.3%), cocaine (0.5%), hashish (0.8%), and marijuana (0.8%). Some used or were using more than one substance. Conclusions: Substance use was significantly higher among males than females. Cigarettes, alcohol, and opium were found to be the most prevalent forms of substance use. Seeking pleasure and release of tension were the most common reasons for substance use. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.