Drug initiation and abuse during adolescence: a narrative review

Objective: The study's aim has been to further understand the national scientific productions referring to the initiation and abuse of drugs and psychoactive substances during adolescence. Methods: It is a narrative research with a qualitative approach, where temporal delimitation was not used because of the scarcity of references about the proposed matter. Results: The study identified the delimitation of two categories that permeate drug initiation and abuse, which were significantly indicated in the studies that guide the subject. Conclusion: By performing the study, it was noticed that the initiation of young drug users is gradual and limited by their own intrinsic factors, then worrying the society as a whole. Therefore, the public policies are not working toward health professionals and family members of drug users, remaining a gap in health care and, consequently, leaving serious social and family problems.