The relationship between school problems and the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs in 965 adolescents in the towns of Jacareí and Diadema (SP) was assessed by us through the self-administered questionnaire DUSI - Drug Use Screening Inventory. This instrument helps assess drug use and related problems. Substance use was associated with , lack of concentration, poor performance, desire to drop out of school, feeling bored at school, ignoring homework, missing/ arriving late at school, and academic impairments resulting from the use of drugs. The combination of alcohol and tobacco was associated with more problems in school than those found in exclusive users of alcohol. The problems associated with this combination were similar to those observed in illicit drug users. Enjoying the school was a protective factor against substance use. The results show the importance of paying attention to the combined consumption of licit drugs.
Adolescents; drug usage; academic achievement
