[Non-medical use of psychoactive medicines among elementary and high school students in Southern Brazil].

The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for the non-medical use of psychoactive medicines among students at public and private schools of Passo Fundo, Southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire administered to 5,057 students from the 5th grade of elementary school to the 3rd year of high school. The questionnaire contained questions about the use of amphetamines, tranquilizers, barbiturates, anticholinergics, opioids, appetite stimulants, and anabolic steroids. Of the sample total, 7.7% had consumed tranquilizers sometime during their lives, 6.4% had used amphetamines, 2.2% had used anabolic steroids, and 1.1% had used barbiturates. Female students reported significantly greater consumption of tranquilizers and amphetamines, while anabolic steroid use was more prevalent among males. The pattern of psychoactive medicine consumption among children and adolescents students is comparable with the pattern among adults. The findings of this research suggest the need to include children and adolescents in media campaigns and other education programs to prevent the non-medical use and abuse of psychoactive medicines.