Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis during the "collège years"

By focusing on adolescents aged 11 to 15, the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) survey reveals specific information about key trends in early drug use and provides an image of the spread of use throughout the early adolescent years. 

Conducted at the age when use begins, this survey examines the context of initiation and provides perspective on the circumstances under which drug use becomes “established” in the life of certain young people.

In which school years is cannabis first use observed? Is the spread of the use of different substances homogeneous and linear throughout the collège years? Is it possible to identify time periods during collège in which substance initiation or use accelerates? 

This issue of Tendances presents the main results of the French section of the 2010 version of the HBSC survey. It provides an overview of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use during different school years by examining changes in the use of these substances from 2006 to 2010 for students aged 11, 13 and 15 years. 

Finally, these results are examined within the context of the recent measures adopted to reduce drug use in minors and suggest areas for consideration in future prevention strategies.