Attitudes of Pharmacy Students towards Drug Dependence

Ilona Bečková¹ (beckova@faf.cuni.cz), Michael Vanžura¹, Ladislav Bortlík², Peter Višňovský¹, Zdeněk Fendrich¹

¹Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University
²Division of Health, Regional Department, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Summary

The attitudes towards drug dependence and experiences with abused drugs were examined in 140 students who studied pharmacy in the 3rd year (1996) at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové. A standard questionnaire used by the authorities in Czech Republic for this purpose was used. According to obtained results, the students indicated their information about abused drugs as very good. The opinions concerning legalization of abused drugs were not consistent (with a marked minority of those supporting the full legality). Most of the students did not know whether they can obtain or buy the drugs directly at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University. Nevertheless, marihuana and/or other abused drugs were offered to about a half of the students questioned. The experience with marihuana and hashish was reported by 34.3 % of students. The experience with Alnagon® and other drugs inducing possible dependence (hypnotic and anxiolytic agents, etc.) was positively answered by 11 % of students. The results were discussed in comparison with those obtained in other schools of the East Bohemian Region.