A.Yu. Abramov, M.M. Lisitsyna
¹People’s Friendship University of Russia, Moscow
²Federal Research Institute for Health Organization and Informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow

Abstract. The article presents results of the Russian part of the "Alcohol and drug prevention among the youth in the Baltic sea region" international study. The aim of this study was to collect comparable data on alcohol, drug and other psychoactive substance use among 15-16 years old, as well as to determine level of community readiness for preventive activities in the field of alcohol and other psychoactive substance use among the youth.

From 2012 to 2013, municipalities from four European countries - Sweden, Norway, Lithuania and Russia (two districts in Kaliningrad region) – took part in the "Alcohol and drug prevention among the youth in the Baltic sea region" study. This article describes identified by the study characteristics of substance use among the youth in the city of Sovetsk, Kaliningrad region, including associated risks, social environment issues and attitudes of the young people to the problem of psychoactive substance use.

Assessment of the psychoactive substance use, risk and protective factors among the youth in the municipalities was made using a specially designed questionnaire. The questionnaire was used for each participating community of young people aged 15-16 and provided for a cross-data collection with extensive coverage. The questionnaire included questions to assess patterns of alcohol and drug consumption, as well as to evaluate various social factors associated with risky behavior.

The study identified specific features of psychoactive substance use among the youth, as well as associated risks, and relationship with problems related to the social environment or domestic difficulties. The study also presented comparative analysis of the results obtained in the city of Sovetsk in comparison with other municipalities that participated in the study.

The obtained data can be used for further development of preventive activities at the local level, as a tool for local practitioners and policymakers to facilitate implementation of evidence based activities focused on life style and culture of the young people.

Keywords: the youth, adolescents, psychoactive substances, alcohol, drug, tobacco, smoking, risks of psychoactive substance use, international study.

References:

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