Drug use and abuse among university students and their interface with public policies

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the meaning of the use and abuse of alcohol and / or other drugs among university students in accordance with Brazilian public policies on drugs. Method: 49 university students from a Public Institution of Higher Education in the Southeast region of Brazil participated. Results: Bardin’s Content Analysis elaborated the analytical category: “Dissonance between public policies and the meaning of drug use among university students”. Drug use and abuse begin in adolescence; Stimulated by family and friends, and refers to the happiness and flight of problems. Conclusion: it is fundamental to know the meaning of drug use and abuse, from the perspective of the university for the elaboration and implementation of public policies.