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Novel psychoactive substance use by US adolescents: Characteristics associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones
Author(s) -
Patrick Megan E.,
O'Malley Patrick M.,
Kloska Deborah D.,
Schulenberg John E.,
Johnston Lloyd D.,
Miech Richard A.,
Bachman Jerald G.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12372
Subject(s) - synthetic cannabinoids , psychoactive substance , mephedrone , polysubstance dependence , psychiatry , intoxicative inhalant , truancy , street drugs , medicine , drug , psychology , substance abuse , toxicology , cannabinoid , criminology , biology , receptor
Abstract Introduction and Aims The current study documents the characteristics associated with the use of two novel psychoactive substances: synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. Design and Methods Nationally representative samples of students in 8th ( n = 9665), 10th (n = 10 655) and 12th (n = 10 057) grades across the US were included in the Monitoring the Future study from 2012 to 2014. Results There were relatively few differences in prevalence based on sociodemographic characteristics, although boys were at greater risk for use of synthetic cannabinoids in 12th grade (used by 10.3% of boys and 6.4% of girls) and for use of synthetic cathinones in 10th grade (used by 1.0% of boys and 0.4% of girls). Synthetic drug use was also associated with truancy and use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. Discussion and Conclusions Prevention and intervention efforts for novel psychoactive substance use should focus primarily on polysubstance users and youth who are disengaged from school.[Patrick M, O'Malley P, Kloska D, Schulenberg J, Johnston L, Miech R, Bachman J. Novel psychoactive substance use by US adolescents: Characteristics associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:586–590 ]