# Presentation: 293523

## Drugs Misuse Among Universities’ Students In Gaza Strip.(Phase 2 of project: developing early awareness system for monitoring drug misuse in Palestine, 2004)

***M. Afifi, M.D., S. Elsousi, Ph.D., Z. AbuRsas, M.Sc.******Substance Abuse Research Center,  Palestine***

- NIDA International / CPDD Meeting
- Orlando, Florida
- June, 2005

## Acknowledgments

- Support for this effort was provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Middle Regional Cooperation Program (MERC).
- This Project was conducted by Substance Abuse Research Center (SARC), Palestine in cooperation with the Integrated  Substance Abuse Program (ISAP), University of California, Los Angeles, Friends Research Institute (FRI), Al-Azhar University (Gaza), and the Palestinian Anti-Drug General Administration (PANGA).

## Purpose

- Promote Cooperation
- Generate information Transfer
- Develop a basic database for drug misuse and related risk behaviors among Palestinian universities’ students as a part of the Early Warning System, and for future monitoring.

## Data Collection Instrument

- A modified version of the Substance Use Survey Instrument (SUSI)- developed jointly.
- The questionnaire included simple questions dealing with: demography, socio-economical status, knowledge of drugs’ harm, friends and peers attitudes and relation, observation of drug misuse in university and district, how easy getting the  drugs, and life experience and use of different drugs.

## Study Sample(N=479)

- Random sample from 5 universities (all universities in Gaza Strip), were selected representing the 2nd and 4th  years, and gender.

## Geography & Demography1

## Geography & Demography2

- Gaza Strip area = 362 sq.km
- Located in South West of historical Palestine at the Mediterranean
- 50 km long and (5-12 km width.
- Borders: West (Sea), North, and East (Israel), and South (Egypt)
- Total population = 1.2 Millions,
- Adolescents and young adults (more than 50%.)

- Population Growth rate 3.5% per year
- Un employment is over 60%
- More than 80% of families under poverty line
- The general economic situation is very bad (in the last 5 years due to violence, and instability in the region.

## Study Results			Tobacco

-  50.8% of male students, and 9.8% of female students are smoking frequently.
-  Starting age = males 14 year and 16 years (females)

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year use of tobacco is more than the 4th year. This reflects a tendency to increase use of tobacco by the new generation.

## Study Results			Beer

-  4.3% of male students, and 0.8% of female students are drinking beer frequently.
-  Starting age = 18 years both

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year life use of beer is more than the 4th year, while more year 4 students drinks beer frequently.

## Study Results			Other Alcohols

-  4.2% of male students, and 1.7% of female students are drinking other alcohols frequently.
-  Starting age = 18 years both

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year use of other  alcohols is more than the 4th year. This reflect a tendency to use more alcohols among the newer generation.

## Study Results			Inhalants

-  2.4% of male students, and 4.7% of female students are using some sort of inhalants frequently.
-  Starting age = 15 for males, 14 for females

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year use of inhalants is more than the 4th year. This reflect a high tendency to use more inhalants among the newer generation.

## Study Results			Prescribed tablets

-  4.5% of male students, and 3.3% of female students are using sedative or hypnotic frequently.
-  Starting age = 18 for males, 17 for females

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year use of sedative/hypnotics is more than the 4th year. This reflect a tendency to use more sedative/hypnotics among the newer generation.

## Study Results			Marijuana

-  2.9% of male students, and 0.4% of female students are using marijuana frequently.
-  Starting age = 17 for males, 18 for females

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year frequent use of marijuana is more than the 4th year. This reflect a tendency to use more marijuana among the newer generation.

## Study Results			Heroin / cocaine 

- 1.6% of male students, and 0.4% of female students are using some heroin/cocaine frequently.
-  Starting age = 17 for males, 18 for females

-  Comparing the 2nd  and 4th years reveals:  the second year use of heroin/cocaine  is more than the 4th year. This reflect a tendency to use more heroin/cocaine among the newer generation.

## Problem Behavior

- Serious fighting: 23.2% of male students, and 17.1% of female students.
- Carried weapon (at least one day): 16.3% of male student, and 6.4% of female students.
- Damaged property: 23.1% of male students, and 13.3% of female students.
- Spending evening in streets and recreation places: 16.8% of male students, and 2.6% of female students.

## Problem Behavior

## Conclusions

- In the universities community, one alarming finding is that using different drugs is increasing (in the second year is always more than older generation 4th year)
- The inhalants use is increasing and alarming.
- Smoking is very high and can be considered a good indicator for monitoring being a gate to other drugs. It is also alarming by its increase among female students.

## Recommendations

- Additional research to examine the risk behaviors and  their validity as monitoring and alarming indicators.
- Developing early intervention programs, and  developing proper health education programs that starts early in school age to control the increasing trends of drug use.
- Training health and social workers

- Thank   You