First consumption of alcohol and drugs: When does it start, in which occasions and what can we do to prevent it?

Objectives: The prevalence of alcohol use among adolescents in Croatia is high. The aim of this study was to determine the age and circumstances of first alcohol and drug consumption among adolescents. Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among final-year high school students in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, between June 6 and December 28, 2020. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, with a P-value <0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: Among 1030 respondents, 92.33 % reported having consumed alcohol at least once, with 33 % initiating use at ≤14 years of age. The youngest age of the first alcohol consumption was three years, and the median age was 15 years (IQR = 14.00-16.00). Most participants first tasted beer (34.38 %), primarily out of curiosity (63.93 %), at their own home (28.29 %) friend's homes (27.44 %), or in nightclubs or café bars (27.23 %). A total of 24.27 % reported having tried drugs, most commonly marijuana (92.40 %), usually with friends (88.80 %). The youngest age of the first drug use was six years, and the median age was 16 years (IQR = 15.00-17.00). Conclusions: First use of alcohol and drugs occurs at an early age, often in familiar environments. Enhanced educational and preventive measures beginning in early childhood are essential to prevent engagement in risky behaviors among children.