Drugs Misuse Among Universities’ Students In Gaza Strip. Drugs Misuse Among Universities’ Students In Gaza Strip. (Phase 2 of project: developing early awareness system for monitoring drug misuse in Palestine, 2004) M. Afifi, M.D., S. Elsousi, Ph.D., Z. AbuRsas, M.Sc. Substance Abuse Research Center, Palestine NIDA International / CPDD Meeting Orlando, Florida June, 2005

Acknowledgments Support for this effort was provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Middle Regional Cooperation Program (MERC). This Project was conducted by Substance Abuse Research Center (SARC), Palestine in cooperation with the Integrated Substance Abuse Program (ISAP), University of California, Los Angeles, Friends Research Institute (FRI), Al-Azhar University (Gaza), and the Palestinian Anti-Drug General Administration (PANGA).

Drugs Misuse Among Universities’ Students In Gaza Strip. (Phase 2 of project: developing early awareness system for monitoring drug misuse in Palestine, 2004) M. Afifi, M.D., S. Elsousi, Ph.D., Z. AbuRsas, M.Sc. Substance Abuse Research Center, Palestine The project for developing early awareness system for monitoring drug misuse among youth in Palestine is a joint project supported by the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) program of the USAID. The first phase was surveying the high schools in Gaza Strip and was carried out in This second phase was carried out in Year 2004 in the universities of Gaza Strip. A total of 491 random students sample (248 males, and 243 females) were selected from 5 universities in Gaza strip in the second and fourth year, as a second phase of the project. The survey revealed a prevalence using once or more : Marijuana 4.6% of male students and1.2% of female students, drinking beer and other Alcohols 7.1% among males, 2.6% among females, tried powder (heroin or cocaine) 2.8% of males and 1.6 of females, using CNS stimulant tablets 5.4% of males, 1.3% of females, using inhalants 9.1% of males and 1.6% of females, and other narcotics including ecstasy and locally made materials 1.6% of males and 0.8% of females. Frequent use comprised one third to one half of these figures. The demographic and socio-economic determinants were studied and a comparison with high schools survey results is in progress.

Purpose Promote Cooperation Generate information Transfer Develop a basic database for drug misuse and related risk behaviors among Palestinian universities’ students as a part of the Early Warning System, and for future monitoring.

Data Collection Instrument A modified version of the Substance Use Survey Instrument (SUSI)- developed jointly. The questionnaire included simple questions dealing with: demography, socio-economical status, knowledge of drugs’ harm, friends and peers attitudes and relation, observation of drug misuse in university and district, how easy getting the drugs, and life experience and use of different drugs.

Study Sample (N=479) Random sample from 5 universities (all universities in Gaza Strip), were selected representing the 2 nd and 4 th years, and gender.

Geography & Demography1

Geography & Demography2 Gaza Strip area = 362 sq.km Located in South West of historical Palestine at the Mediterranean 50 km long and (5-12 km width. Borders: West (Sea), North, and East (Israel), and South (Egypt) Total population = 1.2 Millions, Adolescents and young adults (more than 50%.) Population Growth rate 3.5% per year Un employment is over 60% More than 80% of families under poverty line The general economic situation is very bad (in the last 5 years due to violence, and instability in the region.

Study Results Tobacco 50.8% of male students, and 9.8% of female students are smoking frequently. Starting age = males 14 year and 16 years (females) Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year use of tobacco is more than the 4 th year. This reflects a tendency to increase use of tobacco by the new generation.

Study Results Beer 4.3% of male students, and 0.8% of female students are drinking beer frequently. Starting age = 18 years both Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year life use of beer is more than the 4 th year, while more year 4 students drinks beer frequently.

Study Results Other Alcohols 4.2% of male students, and 1.7% of female students are drinking other alcohols frequently. Starting age = 18 years both Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year use of other alcohols is more than the 4 th year. This reflect a tendency to use more alcohols among the newer generation.

Study Results Inhalants 2.4% of male students, and 4.7% of female students are using some sort of inhalants frequently. Starting age = 15 for males, 14 for females Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year use of inhalants is more than the 4 th year. This reflect a high tendency to use more inhalants among the newer generation.

Study Results Prescribed tablets 4.5% of male students, and 3.3% of female students are using sedative or hypnotic frequently. Starting age = 18 for males, 17 for females Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year use of sedative/hypnotics is more than the 4 th year. This reflect a tendency to use more sedative/hypnotics among the newer generation.

Study Results Marijuana 2.9% of male students, and 0.4% of female students are using marijuana frequently. Starting age = 17 for males, 18 for females Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year frequent use of marijuana is more than the 4 th year. This reflect a tendency to use more marijuana among the newer generation.

Study Results Heroin / cocaine 1.6% of male students, and 0.4% of female students are using some heroin/cocaine frequently. Starting age = 17 for males, 18 for females Comparing the 2nd and 4th years reveals: the second year use of heroin/cocaine is more than the 4 th year. This reflect a tendency to use more heroin/cocaine among the newer generation.

Problem Behavior Serious fighting: 23.2% of male students, and 17.1% of female students. Carried weapon (at least one day): 16.3% of male student, and 6.4% of female students. Damaged property: 23.1% of male students, and 13.3% of female students. Spending evening in streets and recreation places: 16.8% of male students, and 2.6% of female students.

Problem Behavior

Conclusions In the universities community, one alarming finding is that using different drugs is increasing (in the second year is always more than older generation 4 th year) The inhalants use is increasing and alarming. Smoking is very high and can be considered a good indicator for monitoring being a gate to other drugs. It is also alarming by its increase among female students.

Recommendations Additional research to examine the risk behaviors and their validity as monitoring and alarming indicators. Developing early intervention programs, and developing proper health education programs that starts early in school age to control the increasing trends of drug use. Training health and social workers