Survey on alcohol and medicine abuse among adolescents at four schools in Greater Buenos Aires. / Survey on alcohol and medicine abuse among adolescents at four schools in Greater Buenos Aires.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The use of alcohol and prescription drugs acquired without a prescription among adolescents has become an increasing problem at departments of toxicology. The "jarra loca" is a mix of alcoholic beverages and medicines abused by teens. In the past years, in addition to psychotropic drugs, adolescents have also added hypoglycemic drugs to the mix, which may cause neurological sequelae or even death, depending on the dose used and the duration of hypoglycemia. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol and medicine use among 12 to 18 year-old adolescents attending four schools in the district of Tres de Febrero, province of Buenos Aires. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. A survey on alcohol and medicine use was self-administered by 12 to 18 year-old adolescents from four schools in the province of Buenos Aires. During workshops, knowledge and experience were exchanged with students and info graphic material was provided. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seventy-seven surveys were completed. Of all surveyed students, 49