Abstract
Objective
To understand the perception of high school students regarding the consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs.
Methods
We developed an observational cross-sectional study, using a descriptive and qualitative approach, through the adoption of a focus group technique. The participants were 24 high school students from four schools, selected by chance, divided into four groups. The statements of students were recorded and transcribed; lexical analysis was performed.
Results
We classified 74 units of elementary context that were divided into four lexical classes and named according to their meaning, which revealed the following themes: existence of consumption; motivation for consumption; family influence; and, control/consequences.
Conclusion
The perception of students regarding the consumption of psychoactive substances shows that in the current scenario, alcohol markedly permeates the juvenile universe.
Students; Perception; Alcoholic beverages; Street drugs; Alcohol drinking
