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Perceptions of adolescent students about drugs

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To analyze the perceptions of adolescent public school students about drugs.

Method:

Qualitative approach of focus groups with 16 adolescent students. The data collected were analyzed by means of content analysis, leading to the following categories: meaning of drugs; living with drug use; opinions, beliefs and attitudes toward drug use; and preventing drug abuse in adolescence.

Results:

The adolescent students know about some drugs, and associate their use with delinquent and criminal behavior. The students identifi ed factors that lead to drug abuse, such as easy access, use by family and friends, idleness, dropping out of school and the characteristic vulnerability of adolescence.

Conclusion:

the results point to the need for educational activities in the context of where the adolescents live, including school, community and family environments, to support and to minimize their vulnerability.

Key words:
Adolescent; Street Drugs; Alcoholic Beverages; Health Promotion; School Health

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