Young people and drug: distress or new style? Epidemiological survey among an Italian student population

The Authors examined the knowledge and motivations which lead young people to using alcohol, smoking and psychotropic substances, and the possible risks deriving from such use. 7588 questionnaires were distributed and 4118 duly returned completed (54.2%). 29.9% of the boys admitted that they were either taking or had taken drugs. The majority of substances identified were "new drugs"--ecstasy, special K, poppers, etc.--(79.8%), marijuana (72%) and hashish (49.2%). 42% claimed that these substances couldn't be considered to be drugs or to have the effects of drugs. 7.5% didn't seem able to reply to the questions. Distress, curiosity, need to overdo, search of the pleasure, they probably lead young people to use the drugs.