Risk of Drug Consumption in University Students

Abstract

Drug consumption is a public health issue that is increasingly prevalent in the university environment, associated with factors that make adolescents and young people vulnerable. The study aimed to estimate the risk of drug consumption and vulnerability in 863 adolescents and young people at the Centro Universitario Valle de Chalco in 2023. The POSIT (Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers) diagnostic evaluation instrument was used for data collection. The results show a predominance of females with 598 participants, representing 69.29%, followed by 262 males at 30.35%, and others (non-binary and transgender) at 0.23% and 0.12% respectively. It can be considered that 11.5% are at risk and 3.5% at high risk. Additionally, a strong correlation was determined between mental health and educational level at .477** and .654** respectively, along with a lower but significant correlation between aggressive/delinquent behavior and educational level (.446**) and relationship with friends (.307**), all with p=0.01. The results highlight the magnitude of the problem and the need for mental health professionals to address it for prevention.

Keywords: drugs, risk, university students