ABSTRACT
Background: Peer methodology (PM) is an adaptation of the privileged access interviewer methodology and is used for prevalence studies. PM estimates higher drug consumption frequencies among school and college students than self reports, since it minimizes underreporting. Aim: To assess drug abuse among students using PM. Material and methods: A random sample of 234 school students of middle and low-middle socioeconomic status, aged 9 to 14 years (53 percent women) were interviewed using PM about drug consumption. Results: The frequency of licit drug consumption during the last year was 29 percent and 15 percent during the last month (current consumption). The consumption of tobacco and alcohol was 20 percent and 18 percent respectively during the last year. The figures for the last month were 11 percent and 8 percent respectively. The beginning age for smoking and alcohol consumption were 11.1 ±1.5 and 11.3± 1.8 years respectively. The frequency of illicit drug consumption was 3.5 percent. Illicit drug users began licit drug consumption at earlier ages their non user peers. Conclusions: There is a high frequency of illicit drug consumption among school age children.