Citation

Martinotti G, Lupi M, Carlucci L, Cinosi E, Santacroce R, Acciavatti T, Chillemi E, Bonifaci L, Janiri L, di Giannantonio M. Hum. Psychopharmacol. 2015; 30(4): 295-301.

Affiliation

Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, " G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/hup.2486

PMID

26216566

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are new psychotropic drugs, not scheduled under the International Conventions on Psychotropic Substances, but which may pose a relevant public health threat. In this study, we investigated knowledge and use of NPS in a sample of Italian youth in urban and rural areas.

METHODS: Between December 2012 and October 2013, we administered a questionnaire to a sample of 3011 healthy subjects (44.7% men; 55.3% women), aged between 16 and 24 years and recruited in urban, intermediate and rural areas of Italy.

RESULTS: Of the global sample, 53.3% declared to have some knowledge on NPS, with a higher knowledge in urban areas. Mephedrone (26%), desomorphine (22.6%) and methamphetamine (21.7%) were the most commonly known drugs. NPS use was reported by 4.7% of the sample, without significant differences between urban and rural areas; mephedrone (3.3%), synthetic cannabinoids (1.2%) and Salvia divinorum (0.3%) consumption has been identified. NPS use was also predictive of binge-drinking behaviours (χ(2) (4) = 929.58, p < .001).

DISCUSSION: Urban areas may represent a focal point for preventive strategies, given the presence of higher levels of NPS knowledge. Moreover, the association between binge-drinking habits and NPS use was really strong. This issue should not be underestimated because of its medical, psychopathological and social consequences. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en