The study on the perception of 264 (33.2%) nursing students from the Professionalization and Regular groups regarding predicting factors of drugs consumption shows these students consume alcohol and tobacco and view alcohol as a leading factor in the consumption of drugs. The Professionalization group consumes tranquilizers and stimulants at a higher rate than the Regular group. The Professionalization students argue that they have to deal with an excessive personal load: career, job, family and stress. According to them, these factors motivate the consumption of tranquilizers and stimulants. The Professionalization group views the family and religion as protective factors; friends and school, on the other hand, are considered risk factors. Both groups consider drug users as amoral and addicts. The present study provides indicators that can support real actions aimed at improving the education of nursing personnel.
risk factors; nursing; street drugs; students, nursing