PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE IN GENERAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS

Abstract

The prevalence of psychoactive substance use in mainstream schools is a significant public health and social problem that raises serious concerns about pupils' health, academic performance and future prospects. In Lithuania, as in many other countries, research is being carried out to determine the extent of psychoactive substance use among schoolchildren. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among pupils of general education schools in Panevėžys. The method of the study is a questionnaire survey. The research instrument is a questionnaire developed by the authors of the study. Participants of the study - pupils of 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th grades of general education schools in Panevėžys.  Sample size - 1030 respondents. The results of the survey showed that there is a problem of psychoactive substance use among pupils in grades 5, 7, 9 and 11. More than half of the respondents indicated that their school has students who use drugs. The age of those who have tried psychoactive substances ranges from 9 to 18 years, while the average age of adolescents who have tried smoking for the first time is only 13 years. The main places where students get intoxicated were found to be near or at school, on the street and in other public places.