NCJ Number
136179
Journal
British Journal of Addiction Volume: 86 Dated: (1991) Pages: 1449-1458
Date Published
1991
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Police data and surveys of Oslo youth conducted from 1968 to 1989 by the National Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research examined use and attitudes towards drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Abstract
Data was obtained from questionnaires given to adolescent boys and girls in the 15-to 20-year age group with comparison studies between youth of Oslo and of the country at large. Though chronic users of drugs and those who do not use drugs were under-represented, the objective of the survey was to review the use of drugs among the adolescent population as a whole. Results show use of alcohol and tobacco were greater than use of other drugs with no significant differences between those living in Oslo and the rest of the population. Trends for Oslo youth indicated little use of drugs prior to 1970 with a significant increase from 1970 through 1974. A variegated pattern of drug use was established after 1974 based on the use of different substances. Cannabis, which is readily available, has shown a decrease in use among the younger age-groups since the beginning of the 1980s. Changes in attitudes towards cannabis is reflected by its decrease in use with relatively few respondents suggesting the drug should be legalized. 2 tables, 6 graphs, and 6 references