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Substance abuse among the general population in the Republic of Croatia: Research report

This report contains methodology and results of the first research on the extent and patterns of substance use in the general population of the Republic of Croatia. The aim of the research was to collect data on the prevalence of use of different types of substances amongst the general population as well as relevant population sub- groups. Research was conducted on a representative sample of 4756 respondents aged between 15 and 64. Results showed that around one out of three adults (aged between 15 and 64) is an active smoker (36.3%), and amongst young adults (aged between 15 and 34) 37.1% reported being active smokers. More than half of all adults reported having ever smoked tobacco in their lifetime (57.5%). Amongst all adults 38.0% reported having consumed alcohol once a month or less. Alcohol was consumed 2 to 4 times a month by 25.3% of all adults, 2 to 3 times a week by 13.4% of all adults, and 4 times a week or more by 9.3% of all adults. Six glasses or more of an alcoholic drink on the same occasion (heavy drinking) was drunk once a month by 8.6% of all adults, once a week by 5.6%, and daily or almost daily by 1.1% of all adults. Somewhat less than one-fifth of all adults (18.5%) reported drinking heavily less than once a month. One in four adults (24.9%) reported taking sedatives and/or tranquillisers ever in their lifetime. In the month prior to the research 11.1% of all adults have at least once taken sedatives and/or tranquillisers. Considering the problem of taking sedatives and/or tranquillisers it is important to emphasise that 73.0% of all adults and 47.5% of young adults reported that the last time when they used sedatives and/or tranquillisers they had them prescribed by a doctor. Amongst all adults, 16.0% reported ever taking any illicit drugs in their lifetime. The most commonly used illicit drug was cannabis, and 15.6% of all adults reported taking this drug at some point in their life. The lifetime prevalence rates of taking other types of illicit drugs were considerably lower (below 3%): amphetamines 2.6%, ecstasy 2.5%, cocaine 2.3%, LSD 1.4%, and heroin 0.4%. Around one-quarter (25.7%) of young adults reported ever having used any illicit drug in their lifetime. In the month prior to the research 3.2% of all adults reported having used any illicit drugs. The last month prevalence rate of taking any illicit drugs amongst young adults was 6.2%. Two-thirds of all adults (66.8%) disagree that people should be permitted to take cannabis. More than two-thirds of all adults (72.8%) believe that drugs are available in the Republic of Croatia. More than half of all adults (55.4%) reported that drugs are not available to them personally. Around one-third of all adults (34.1%) reported having been offered illicit drugs in the Republic of Croatia. Amongst young adults, more than half (53.2%) reported having been offered illicit drugs. The importance of this research is in the fact that this is a first research of this type in the Republic of Croatia, and it is therefore very important since it gives, on a national level, an overview of the substance use amongst the general population. This information is fundamental for understanding and assessing the situation in the field of substance use, defining priorities, and forming and evaluating strategies on fight against substance abuse. Also, due to the standardised methodology and the use of European Model Questionnaire obtained data is comparable with data from other European countries. Future regular and systematic researches are necessary in order to follow trends concerning substance use in the Republic of Croatia, because this information is important for regulation and control of substance use, particularly of illicit drugs. Further on, regular research gives wider perspective for policy interventions in different contexts, as well as for modification of laws concerning drugs.

illicit drugs; tobacco; alcohol; pharmaceuticals; general population; prevalence; opinions; availability; Croatia

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