Social representations of illicit psicoactives substances on Santiago city college students

Abstract

This paper refers to the content analysis of the expressions of university students of Santiago in regard to the abuse of illicit psychoactive substances and the prevention of such abuse. The aim was to establish a theoretical basis on which to plan preventive activities. The results were matched with the official documents on prevention, bearing in mind the two main objetives in this field: harm reduction and the attainments of a drug free society. Beliefs, consumption and the social presence of the drugs were explored. The students reject prohibition, stigmatization and the withdrawal of information, as they distort the relationship between young people and the drugs. Models of consumption in this population are outlined.