[Development of drug, alcohol and tobacco consumption. Comparison between 2 studies from 1971 and 1974 in the canton Zurich].

Consumption of drugs, alcohol and tobacco has been compared in two populations of 19-year-old men, of 1971 (2785) and 1974 (1617), drawn from three different geographical regions of the Canton of Zurich. The hypothesis that the percentage of drug users has risen over the last three years was not confirmed: as previously, 25% have had experience of drugs. As expected, however, there was more regular and heavy drug users in 1974 than in 1971. Also, there is a more marked trend towards extension of drug consumption to rural areas than in 1971. The percentage of cigarette smokers has remained stable, but per capita cigarette consumption has increased. Contrary to expectation, alcohol consumption showed the sharpest rise in all three regions. The study suggests that drug consumption is not to be considered in isolation but in conjunction with the use of alcohol and tobacco.