Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.20471/may.2018.54.01.01
Use of new psychoactive substances among the general population in Croatia: Patterns of use and sociodemographic characteristics of users
Renata Glavak Tkalić
orcid.org/0000-0002-5749-0624
; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Sažetak
The aim of this study is to provide information on the prevalence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) use among the general population in Croatia, patterns of NPS use and characteristics of NPS users. The data on NPS use, patterns of NPS use, licit and illicit substance use, and general information on participants, were gathered by empirical research on a nationally representative sample of Croatian adults aged 15-64 years (N = 4992). Lifetime prevalence of NPS use in Croatia was 2.7%, and last year 1.3%. The most common form of NPS used was herbal smoking mixtures (76.2%), and most users have been given or bought NPS from a friend (69%). Most NPS users were male (75.4%), young adults between 15-34 years (75.8%), single (73.1%), had a high school education (68%), and currently were either high school or university students (39.4%), employed (33.1%) or self-employed (7.2%). NPS users have reported very high prevalence of use of licit (79.5% tobacco, 89.9% alcohol, and 57.5% had an episode of binge drinking) and illicit substances (55.6%, most commonly cannabis) over the month preceding the survey. High lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use was found for amphetamines (42.5%), ecstasy (35.4%), LSD (24.6%), and cocaine (23.9%).
In Croatia, the lifetime prevalence of NPS use is relatively low among the general population. Most NPS users are single young males who exhibit patterns of polydrug use. Due to serious risks associated with NPS use, prevention should be one of the national drug policy priorities.
Ključne riječi
new psychoactive substances; prevalence; patterns of use; general population; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
203872
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.6.2018.
Posjeta: 2.542 *