Perception of damage and benefits associated to the use of Marijuana in adolescents, Viña del mar, Chile

Abstract

Objective: analyze the perception of harm and benefits, and its association with the use of marijuana in high school students, as well as the intention to use it in a context of regulatory changes. Method: a quantitative, exploratory, cross-sectional study was designed, applying a self-administered questionnaire to 268 high school students. Results: The results showed that the declared consumption in the sample is higher than that obtained in previous studies in Chile, which had already warned of the increase in prevalence, compared to previous measurements. There is a low perception of risk associated with consumption and insecurity regarding benefits. In the framework of regulatory changes, no change was observed in the intention of use. Adolescent consumers would continue to do so as before, while those who have not consumed it, 25% would try it, and 60% would still not use it. Conclusions: The current discussion in the country has focused on the effect that the change in the law would have, by itself, on adolescent consumption, however, it is relevant to direct efforts towards the perceptions of risk and benefits that they have, in order to stop the observed increasing in consumption in the country, in the latest studies.