Epidemiological profile of drug users in Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction

Changing cultural values and increasing economic stress are leading to initiation into substance use. Despite religious and legal constraints on Muslims against the consumption of drugs, drug addiction is a widespread problem and is destroying the lives of many individuals and families, in Tunisia.

Objectives

To examine the socio-demographic characteristics of Tunisian addicts and to identify the drugs commonly used.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, which included 200 patients at the addiction treatment center “Aide et Ecoute” in Sfax (Tunisia). The survey was conducted during the month of January to September 2014.

Results

Only males were found to get treatment in the addiction center for various addictions. The mean age was 33.32 years and the mean age for starting substance use was 17.30 years. More than half (65.9%) were not married and 59.5% had involvement with criminal justice. Substance dependence was commonly seen in poor and middle socioeconomic class. The most common substance used was buprenorphine (34.8%). There was a significant relation between buprenorphine consumption and immigration (P= 0.013). Peer pressure was one of the most important factors for trial of substance in our study.

Conclusion

As the mean age of initiation of substance abuse was early twenties, in liaison with schools and colleges, some recreational activities can be generated to prevent diversion of youth towards the devil of drug abuse.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.