Trends in Cannabis Use among Adolescents in Spain 2006–2018

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine trends in cannabis use among Spanish students from 2006 to 2018 by sex, age, and sex and age combined. Data showed a global decrease both in a lifetime and frequent cannabis use between 2006 and 2018 but four-year comparisons revealed more variability within the specific sex-age groups. No change was found in lifetime use between 2014 and 2018 for all groups. The results emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring of trends in cannabis use and the importance of implementing preventive measures to avoid a change in tendency and to work with high-risk groups, especially 17–18-old boys.

Keywords:

• adolescence
• cannabis
• decrease
• monitoring
• substance abuse
• trends

Acknowledgments

The HBSC study in Spain is supported by the Ministry of Health. We extend our sincere thanks to this institution, to the entire HBSC Spanish team, as well as to the schools, teachers, and students who participated in each survey.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the conceptualization and design of the study. Francisco Rivera conducted the statistical analysis. Eva Leal-Lopez and Inmaculada Sánchez-Queija conducted literature searches and wrote the initial draft. Carmen Moreno is the principal investigator of the study and supervised the process. All authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work is funded by the Ministry of Health of Spain.