Increase in drug use among young Sicilians: having fun and being with friends

Increasing in Sicily cases of intoxication and death caused by the use of drugs, especially by minors. Drug addiction also concerns new drugs made with sometimes unknown and experimental substances, the misappropriation of drugs often "self-prescribed" by people who document on the web without recourse to the advice of professionals; or, again, amateur doping, ie "fake supplements" often purchased on the web to improve sports performance

According to the study of Professor Fabio Venturella, researcher at the University of Palermo, professor of toxicology and pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, published in GDS, more than 2,500 cases have been officially recorded in the last five years, with a prevalence of subjects between 15 and 40 years. If in the central zone of the island there is a greater diffusion of the phenomena, in Palermo there is however an aggravation of the consequences.

Questionnaire administered anonymously by prof. Venturella and its employees at 2,831 students from different schools in Palermo, alarming data emerge: 89% of cases boys drank alcohol for the first time at the age of 12, 75% drunk at least once a week 48% prefer the disco to drink, 92% do it on Friday and Saturday nights, 85% deem it essential to consume alcohol and drugs, to have fun and to have fun To be with friends.

30-40% of respondents take drugs and, on average, 60% of them do so continuously

The "boiling" substance preferred in 90% of cases is cannabis.

Also, supplements purchased on the web increase as the "new drug and rape", or fentanyl, bought online for "unpacking", a substance that gives a powerful effect of morphine; but also "purple drink", or codeine syrup added to the most fashionable drinks to get to the "high" during evenings with friends; and the infamous "Spice", a blend of cannabinoids of synthetic origin that has nothing to do with natural cannabinoids.

Source Gds