DRUG USE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GUYANA

Sponsored by the Organization of American States/ Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (OAS/ICAD)

2013

CRIME & SOCIAL OBSERVATORY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC

SECURITY

GUYANA DRUG INFORMATION NETWORK (GUYANADIN)

2014

DRUG USE AMONG

SECONDARY SCHOOL

STUDENTS IN GUYANA CRIME & SOCIAL OBSERVATORY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY

i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2006, the Guyana Drug Information Network was established within the Ministry of Home

Affairs with the assistance of the Inter-American Observatory on Drugs (OID), Inter-American

Drug Control Commission (CICAD)/ Organization of American States (OAS). The purpose of

the Network is to facilitate the sharing of drug related information. As such, a framework was

set up to assess the level of drug use among students in schools across the country in Grades

8,10,11 and 12, both in private and public schools.

A stratified random sampling design was employed to conduct of the survey which comprised

two phases, viz.: selection of the schools, and selection of the classes within the selected schools

to participate in the survey. The team was successful at reaching 28 schools of the 30 selected

which included 19 public schools and 9 private schools. Of this amount 28.1 per cent of the

schools was from Georgetown, 14.5 per cent from Region 6, 13.4 per cent from Region 2, 11.8

per cent from Region 4 (leaving out schools located in Georgetown), and 10.7 per cent from

Region 3.

43.7 per cent of the respondents were students in the 8th

grade (Form 2), 35.7 per cent were in the

10th

grade (Form 4) and 20.6 per cent were in the 11th

grade (Form5). The analysis revealed that

59.6 per cent of the respondents were females and 40.3 per cent males. Disaggregation of

sample by age group showed that 43.2 per cent of the students were from the 15-16 age range,

41.7 per cent were from the 13-14 age range, 8.5 per cent were 17 or older, 2.1 per cent were

from the 11-12 age range, and 4.5 per cent did not indicate their ages.

The one-year incidence rate for cigarette use was reduced from 4.8 per cent in 2007 to 4.1 per

cent in 2013. Trend analysis with regard to cigarette use revealed that all prevalence rates for

cigarette use declined in 2013 when compared to the 2007 survey. The lifetime prevalence rate

declined from 17.8 per cent in 2007 to 16.8 per cent in 2013. In the current survey the lifetime

prevalence rate for private schools was 23.0 per cent; this is higher than the life-time prevalence

ii

rate for public schools which returned a rate 16.3 per cent. The average age of first time use of

cigarettes increased marginally from 11.5 years in 2007 to 11.7 in 2013.

For alcohol, the one-year incidence rate dropped from 37.7 per cent in 2007 to 27.2 per cent in

2013.Comparative analysis of the 2007 and 2013 survey results revealed that prevalence rates

declined for use of alcoholic drinks. The lifetime prevalence rate dipped from 62.0 per cent in

2007 to 52.2 per cent in 2013. In the present survey the male life-time prevalence rate for

alcohol use was 57.2 per cent while the female rate was 49.1 per cent. Further survey results

showed 4.9 per cent of the students said they were drunk for 6 to 10 days during the past month

and 12.0 per cent said they were drunk for 11 or more days. The average age of first use of

alcohol increased marginally from 12.2 years in 2007 to 12.5 years in 2013.

With regards to marijuana, the one-year incidence declined from 4.5 per cent per cent in 2007 to

3.1 per cent in 2013. The data indicate that life-time prevalence for marijuana was 6.6 per cent

in 2013 compared to 11.2 per cent in the 2007. In the current survey the male life-time

prevalence rate of marijuana was 9.9 per cent and the female rate was 4.5 per cent. The average

age of first time use of marijuana declined from 13.3 years in 2007 to 12.8 years in 2013.

Turning to cocaine use, the one-year incidence fell from 2.1 per cent per cent in 2007 to 0.9 per

cent in 2013. The current survey statistics showed that 1.4 per cent of the students used cocaine

at least once in their lifetime; while annual prevalence rate for cocaine was 1.0 per cent.

Comparatively, in 2007 life-time prevalence rate was 4.1 per cent and one-year prevalence rate

was 2.7 per cent. The male life-time prevalence rate in the 2013 survey was 2.6 per cent and the

female life-time prevalence rate was 0.6 per cent. The average age of first time use of cocaine

declined from 13.0 years in 2007 to 12.1 years in 2013.

Analysing the data to assess the extent and patterns of crack use showed that the one-year

incidence rate dropped from 2.2 per cent in 2007 to 1.2 per cent in 2013. Current survey data

indicated that 1.9 per cent of the students used crack at least once in their lifetime; while annual

prevalence rate for crack was 1.0 per cent. Comparatively, in 2007 life-time prevalence rate was

4.0 per cent and one-year prevalence rate was 2.8 per cent. The male life-time prevalence rate in

the 2013 survey was 3.0 per cent, while the female rate was 1.3 per cent. The average for first

time use of crack increased to 14.5 years in 2013from 13.2 in 2007.

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Perceptions on the level of access students have to illicit drugs appeared low. Marijuana

appeared to be the most accessible illicit drug for secondary school students with 16.3 per cent of

them indicating that it would be easy to access.

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The successful completion of this project would not have been possible without the contributions

of the following Organizations, Ministries and Individuals.

The Organization of American States/

Inter-American Drug Abuse Control

Commission (OAS/CICAD)

Mr Pernell Clarke, SIDUC, Specialist

OAS Guyana Office Ambassador Jean Ricot Dormeus & Ms

Jennifer Munroe-Henry

Ministry of Home Affairs Ms Angela Johnson, Permanent secretary

Major General (R’td) Michael Atherly, Head

Task Force on Narcotics and Illicit Weapons

Ministry of Education Mr Olato Sam, Chief Education Officer

Ms Johnson, Chief Statistician, Planning Unit,

Ministry of Education

Regional Education Officers Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and Georgetown

School Survey Team

Coordinator: Mr Clement Henry

OAS Technical Advisor: Ms Tiffany Barry

Facilitators/Data Transcribers: Ms Laura Batson, Mr Neion Barry, Mr Jeffon Boters, Mr Devon

December, Mr Adrian Fields, Mr Cason Marshall, Mrs Thessa Munisar, Mr Wendel Nelson, Ms

Sarita Nanku, Mr Romanus James, Ms Lasean Williams and Ms Aneela Rahaman. Thank you all

for your hard work, long hours and dedicated services as we travelled throughout the selected

regions of Guyana gathering the data for this survey and diligent work in transcribing the

questionnaires and data entry. Finally a special thank you to the Headmasters and

Headmistresses of the selected schools along with the teachers, staff and most importantly the

students who participated in this survey, without their corporation this report would not have

been possible.

v

CONTENT

CHAPTER

PAGE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

II

IV

LIST OF TABLES

VI

LIST OF CHARTS

VII

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1

PART 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE

10

PART 3: PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF DRUG USE

14

PART 4: ACCESS TO ILLICIT DRUGS

41

PART 5: CURIOSITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO TRY ANY ILLICIT DRUGS

50

PART 6: STUDENTS ASSOCIATION WITH FRIENDS WHO USE DRUGS

52

PART 7: STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THEIR FRIENDS ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THEIR DRUG USE

55

PART 8: STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE

57

PART 9: BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER CORRELATES OF DRUG USE AMONG

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

72

PART 10: CONCLUSION

86

vi

LIST OF TABLES

3.1 Trend Analysis Average Age of Drug Use 2007 and 2013

14

3.2 Lifetime one year and one month prevalence rate for cigarette use 2007 and 2013

20

3.3 Lifetime one year and one month prevalence rate for Alcohol use 2007 and 2013

21

3.4 Incidence rate for drug use

40

4.1 Perceptions of secondary school students’ on their ease of access to illicit drugs

42

4.2 Secondary school students’ report on whether they were offered illicit drugs

43

4.3 Secondary school students’ responses on where illicit drugs were offered

44

4.4 Secondary school students’ responses on who offered them illicit drugs

45

5.1 Students’ curiosity about trying marijuana/ganja or cocaine

51

5.2 Students’ curiosity about trying crack or ecstasy

51

8.1 Trend Analysis on students’ perception on the risks associated with smoking

cigarettes sometimes 2007 and 2013

58


cigarette frequently 2007 and 2013

59

8.3 Trend Analysis on students’ perception on the risks associated with drinking

alcohol frequently 2007 and 2013

60

8.4 Trend Analysis on students’ perception on the risks associated with getting drunk

2007 and 2013

62


marijuana sometimes 2007 and 2013

64


marijuana frequently 2007 and 2013

66

8.7 Trend Analysis on students’ perception on the risks associated with using ecstasy

sometimes 2007 and 2013

68

8.8 Trend Analysis on students’ perception on the risks associated with using ecstasy

frequently 2007 and 2013

70

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LIST OF CHARTS

2.1 Sample distribution by region and capital city 11

2.2 Sample distribution by type of school 11

2.3 Sample distribution by grade level 12

2.4 Sample distribution by gender 12

2.5 Sample distribution by age 13

2.6 Sample distribution by parental marital status 13

3.1 Lifetime one year and one month prevalence rate for cigarette use 15

3.2 Lifetime prevalence rate for cigarette use by gender 16

3.3 Lifetime prevalence rate for cigarette use by type of school 16

3.4 Lifetime prevalence rate for cigarette use by grade level 16

3.5 Lifetime prevalence rate for cigarette use by area 16

3.6 One year prevalence rate for cigarette use by area 17

3.7 One month prevalence rate for cigarette use by area 17

3.8 One year prevalence rate for cigarette use by type of school 18

3.9 One month prevalence rate for cigarette use by type of school 18

3.10 One year prevalence rate for cigarette use by grade level 18

3.11 One month prevalence rate for cigarette use by grade level 18

3.12 One year prevalence rate for cigarette by gender 19

3.13 One month prevalence rate for cigarette use by gender 19

3.14 The mean age of first use for cigarette by gender 19

3.15 Frequency of cigarette use for the past 30 days 20

3.16 Lifetime one year and one month prevalence rate for alcohol use 21

3.17 Lifetime prevalence rate for alcohol use by gender 22

3.18 Lifetime prevalence rate for alcohol use by area 22

3.19 Lifetime prevalence rate for alcohol use by type of school 23

3.20 Lifetime prevalence rate for alcohol use by grade level 23

3.21 One year prevalence rate for alcohol use by gender 23

3.22 One month prevalence rate for alcohol use by gender 23

3.23 One year prevalence rate for alcohol use by area type 24

3.24 One month prevalence rate for alcohol use by area type 24

3.25 One year prevalence rate for alcohol use by type of school 25

3.26 One month prevalence rate for alcohol use by type of school 25

3.27 One year prevalence rate for alcohol use by grade level 25

3.28 One month prevalence rate for alcohol use by grade level 25

3.29 Frequency of beer use 30 days prior to survey 27

3.30 Frequency of wine use 30 days prior to survey 27

3.31 Frequency of use of hard liquor 30 days prior to survey 27

3.32 Number of days students reported being drunk during the 30 days prior to

survey

28

3.33 Type of place student most often drink alcohol 28

3.34 Source of alcohol consumed by students 28

3.35 Lifetime one year and one month prevalence rate for marijuana use 29

3.36 Lifetime prevalence rate for marijuana use by gender 30

3.37 Lifetime prevalence rate for marijuana use by area 30

3.38 Lifetime prevalence rate for marijuana use by type of school 30

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3.39 Lifetime prevalence rate for marijuana use by grade level 30

3.40 One year prevalence rate for marijuana use by gender 31

3.41 One month prevalence rate for marijuana use by gender 31

3.42 One year prevalence rate for marijuana use by area type 32

3.43 One month prevalence rate for marijuana use by area 32

3.44 One year prevalence rate for marijuana use by type of school 32

3.45 One month prevalence rate for marijuana use by type of school 32

3.46 One year prevalence rate for marijuana use by grade level 33

3.47 One month prevalence rate for marijuana use by grade level 33

3.48 Lifetime one year and one month prevalence rate for cocaine use 33

3.49 Lifetime prevalence rate for cocaine use by gender 34

3.50 Lifetime prevalence rate for cocaine use by area type 34

3.51 Lifetime prevalence rate for cocaine use by type of school 35

3.52 Lifetime prevalence rate for cocaine use by grade level 35

3.53 Lifetime, one year and one month prevalence rate for crack use 35

3.54 Lifetime prevalence rate for crack use by gender 36

3.55 Lifetime prevalence rate for crack use by area type 36

3.56 Lifetime prevalence rate for crack use by type of school

3.57 Lifetime prevalence rate for crack use by grade level

3.58 Lifetime prevalence rate for selected drugs

3.59 Past-year prevalence rate for selected drugs

3.60 One month prevalence rate for selected drugs

37

37

38

38

39

4.1 Students’ perception on whether there are drugs at their school 46

4.2 Students’ perception on whether students bring drugs to school 46

4.3 Students’ perception on whether there are drugs next to their school 47

4.4 Students’ perception on whether there are students who try/deal drugs outside

of their school

48

4.5 Students’ responses to witnessing drugs being sold or given by other students

around school

49

4.6 Students responses to witnessing drugs being used around school 49

5.1 Students curiosity about trying illicit drugs 50

5.2 Students responses about trying an illicit drug if they had the opportunity 50

6.1 Association with friends who consume alcohol 52

6.2 Association with friends who consume alcohol by gender 53

6.3 Association with friends who smoke marijuana 54

6.4 Association with friends who smoke marijuana by gender 54

7.1 Students’ perception on whether friends would disapprove of them using

marijuana

55

7.2 Students’ perception on whether friends would convince them to stop using

marijuana

56

8.1 Students’ perception on the risks associated with smoking cigarette 57

8.2 Students’ perception on the risks associated with smoking cigarette frequently 58

8.3 Students’ perception on the risks associated with drinking alcohol frequently 60

8.4 Students’ perception on the risks associated with getting drunk 61

8.5 Students’ perception on the risks associated with taking tranquilizers/stimulants

sometimes

62

ix

8.6 Students’ perception on the risks associated with taking tranquilizers/stimulants

frequently

63

8.7 Students’ perception on the risks associated with smoking marijuana sometimes 64

8.8 Students’ perception on the risks associated with smoking marijuana frequently 65

8.9 Students’ perception on the risks associated with using cocaine and crack

sometimes

66

8.10 Students’ perception on the risks associated with using cocaine and crack

frequently

67

8.11 Students’ perception on the risks associated with using ecstasy sometimes 68

8.12 Students’ perception on the risks associated with using ecstasy frequently 69

8.13 Students’ perception on the risks associated with inhaling second hand

cigarette smoke

70

8.14 Students’ perception on the risks associated with inhaling second hand

marijuana smoke

71

9.1 The association between alcohol consumption and school attendance 72

9.2 The association between marijuana use and school attendance 72

9.3 The association between cocaine use and school attendance 73

9.4 The association between crack use and school attendance 73

9.5 The association between alcohol consumption and academic performance 74

9.6 The association between marijuana use and academic performance 74

9.7 The association between cocaine use and academic performance 75

9.8 The association between crack and academic performance 75

9.9 The association between alcohol consumption and getting into angry arguments

and fights

76

9.10 The association between marijuana use and getting into angry arguments and

fights

76

9.11 The association between cocaine use and getting into angry arguments and

fights

77

9.12 The association between crack use and getting into angry arguments and fights 77

9.13 The association between alcohol consumption and having problems at home 78

9.14 The association between marijuana use and having problems at home 78

9.15 The association between cocaine use and having problems at home 78

9.16 The association between crack use and having problems at home 78

9.17 The association between alcohol consumption and being taken sexual

advantage of

79

9.18 The association between marijuana use and being taken sexual advantage of 79

9.19 The association between cocaine use and being taken sexual advantage of 80

9.20 The association between crack use and being taken sexual advantage of 80

9.21 The association between alcohol consumption and taking sexual advantage of

someone

81

9.22 The association between marijuana use and taking sexual advantage of

someone

81

9.23 The association between cocaine use and taking sexual advantage of someone 82

9.24 The association between crack use and taking sexual advantage of someone 82

9.25 The association between alcohol consumption and causing self-harm 83

9.26 The association between marijuana use and causing self-harm 83

x

9.27 The association between cocaine use and causing self-harm 83

9.28 The association between crack use and causing self-harm 83

9.29 The association between alcohol consumption and thoughts of suicide 84

9.30 The association between marijuana use and thoughts of suicide 84

9.31 The association between cocaine use and thoughts of suicide 85

9.32 The association between crack use and thoughts of suicide 85

1

1. INTRODUCTION

Country Profile

Guyana is located on the Northern Coast of South America. It is bordered by Suriname to the

east, Brazil to the south, Venezuela to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the North. Guyana

covers an area of 214,970 square kilometres (83,000 square miles), and is the only English

speaking country on the continent.

There are mainly six races living in Guyana. The Amerindians were the first inhabitants of the

country and the word Guiana is an Amerindian word meaning land of many waters. In addition

to the Amerindians, Guyanese are descendants of Europeans, Africans, Chinese, Portuguese and

East Indians. The main religions are Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

Guyana is divided into ten (10) administrative regions and four (4) main natural regions, namely:

the low coastal region, the interior savannahs, the highland regions and the hilly sand and clay

region. The country experiences tropical humid climate with a North-Eastern trade winds. There

are two main rainy seasons from mid-November to January and May to mid- August1.

Guyana was first colonized by the Dutch in the 1700’s, then the British from 1815 to 1966 when

the country gained Independence. During the British colonial period Guyana was referred to as

British Guiana. On May 26, 1966, Guyana gained its independence and four years later, on

February 23, 1970, became the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The President is the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander in Chief of the Armed

Forces. The constitution mandates that general elections be held every five (5) years and that the

president is only allowed to serve two consecutive terms in office. The Cabinet is the nation’s

highest decision making body; its function is to make decisions on the implementation of

government policies and programmes and to advise the President. Cabinet is comprised the

1Greene, S. M. & Emanuel, S. (2000) Social Studies Guyana: Our Country, Our Home. Trinidad: Caribbean

Educational Publishers

2

President, the Prime Minister, other ministers and advisors appointed by the President.

Parliament is the legislative arm and comprises sixty five (65) elected members that make up the

national Assembly.

According to the 2002 census, the total population of Guyana was 751,223; this indicated a 3.8%

population growth from 1991. Census data show that females account for 50.7% of the

population and males, 49.3%. Region 4 is the most populated region and the most urbanized. The

hinterland regions (7, 8, and 9) are the least populated. 28.5% of the population live in the urban

areas while 71.5% reside in the rural areas of the country. Notable is that 51.7% of the urban

dwellers are females.

Guyana’s economy is dependent on the exports of sugar, gold, bauxite, rice, shrimp, molasses,

rum, and timber. More than 60% of the nation’s GDP is derived from the agriculture and mining

industries. As a result, the economy of Guyana is highly influenced by weather conditions and

global fluctuations in commodities prices. Despite these uncertainties and the recent global

financial crisis, Guyana’s economy has shown marked resilience. According, to 2012 CIA report,

the country’s GDP has exhibited real growth over the years. It has grown by 4.4% in 2010;in

2011 by 5.4%; and in 2012 by 3.7%2.

Despite these improvements, unemployment has remained relatively steady at 11% as of 2007.

While the overall employment rate may be expected for this type of developing country, the

unemployment rates paint a slightly different picture when analysed by region. Regions 1, 2, 5, 8

and10 have unemployment rates upwards of 14%. These numbers suggest the need for policies

directed at expanding economic opportunities for more persons living in hinterland areas.

Additionally, female unemployment rates are higher than males. According to the 2002 Census,

10.1% of males were unemployed as compared to 15.1% unemployment among females. Of the

employed labour force in Guyana, males are more dominant in the agriculture and technical

fields (46.7%); while employed females occupy more of the non- agricultural fields such as

professional, clerical and skilled workers fields (57.7%)3.

22013 CIA World Fact Book: Guyana https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gy.html

3 Guyana Bureau of Statistic, 2002 Population Census http://www.statisticsguyana.gov.gy/census.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gy.html

3

According to the 2002 Census, Guyana has a literacy rate of 91.8%. The Census data indicates

that total school enrolment amounted to 304,307 students; of this number 152,737 were males

and 151,570 were females. The report noted that there is a variation in the literacy rates

throughout the nation. While overall literacy rates are only slightly higher for males (92%) as

against females (91.6%), however more females are pursuing higher education than their male

counter parts. Also highlighted is the fact that illiteracy rates are significantly higher in the

hinterland areas (regions 1, 7, 8 and 9) and lower in regions 4 and 10.

While alcohol remains the most widely used licit drug and marijuana the most widely used illicit

drug especially among the youths of Latin America and the Caribbean region, the use of cocaine

and synthetic drugs appears to be on the increase. According to the 2012 UNODC World Drug

Report4, drug use around the region is of significant concern to regional leaders because of the

burgeoning prevalence of cocaine use in South America and the Caribbean (p.19). Synthetic

drugs such as ecstasy have been on the increase among South American youths. The report also

highlighted that drug-related deaths is estimated to be between 12.2 and 31.1 deaths per million

in South America. Additionally, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)5

in their 2011 report on drug use in the Americas highlighted the diverse nature of the drug

problem around the region.

Guyana has been collecting data about drug use and prevalence from several sources over the

years. One such source is the CICAD/OAS Secondary School Surveys administered in 2002 and

2007 to students between the ages of 13 to 17 years old. From these surveys it is observed that

the use of both illicit and licit drugs by youths across the country did increase. The reports from

2002 Secondary School Drug Survey indicated annual prevalence rates of 33.5% for alcohol,

3.5%formarijuana, 0.3% for cocaine, 0.2% for crack and 0.5% for ecstasy. In 2007 annual

prevalence rates for alcohol was 48.5%, 6.4% for marijuana, 2.8% for cocaine, 2.8% for crack,

and 2.7% for ecstasy6.

4UNODC World Drug Report 2012. Vienna: United Nations Publications < https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-

and-analysis/WDR2012/WDR_2012_web_small.pdf> 5 CICAD/OAS Report on Drug Use in the Americas 2011. <

http://www.cicad.oas.org/oid/pubs/DrugUse_in_Americas_2011_en.pdf> 6Guyana Drug Information Network Report, 2009.< http://www.cicad.oas.org/apps/Document.aspx?Id=1608>

4

In 2006, the Guyana Drug Information Network was established within the Ministry of Home

Affairs with the assistance of the Inter-American Observatory on Drugs (OID), Inter-American

Drug Control Commission (CICAD)/ Organization of American States (OAS). The purpose of

the Network was to facilitate the sharing of drug related information, such as supply and

consumption trends, among various agencies with the goal of improving the nation’s capacity to

formulate drug policy, design and implement programs to address drug related issues and to

evaluate the outcomes of these programs in a timely fashion. Currently, the network consists of

and gathers information from several agencies. These include the Ministry of Home Affairs, the

Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, Guyana Police Force, The Food and Drug Department of the

Ministry of Health and the Prisons. There are also two treatment facilities and one psychiatric

facility within the network.

5

MAP OF GUYANA SHOWING TEN (10) ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS

6

Sample Frame

The sample frame consisted of all students in grades 8, 10, 11 and 12 from both public and

private secondary schools throughout Guyana. Enrolment data was made available by the

Planning Unit of the Ministry of Education. The information provided by this office was a listing

of all public and private schools across all ten (10) administrative regions of Guyana and the

enrolment data for students in Grades 8, 10, 11, and 12. Added to this information, was the

number of classes that made up each grade. Based on information collected there were156

secondary schools of which 104 were public schools and 52 were private schools. Further, there

were 39,196 students enrolled in the grades of interest. A breakdown of this figure is provided

below:

14,229 students enrolled in the 8th

grade (Form 2),

13,584 students in the 10th

grade (Form 4),

10,503 in the 11th

grade (Form 5) and

880 in the 12th

grade (Form 6).

Study Design and Sampling

A stratified random sampling design was employed in the conduct of the survey. A distinct

advantage of this approach is that it captures the key population characteristics in the sample.

Information collected from the Planning Unit of the Ministry of Education was sent to

CICAD/OAS where the sample was selected. The process comprised two phases, viz.: selection

of the schools, and selection of the classes within the selected schools to participate in the

survey.

The Sample

From this process a total of 30 secondary schools were selected to participate in the survey. The

schools selected were drawn from the following Regions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10. Georgetown,

though a part of Region 4 was treated as a separate region for the purpose of the survey. The 30

schools selected comprised19 public schools drawn from Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and

7

Georgetown; and 11 were private schools drawn from Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and Georgetown. The

targeted sample size was 2,577 students consisting of 870 from private schools and 1, 706 from

public schools. A breakdown of the targeted sample size by grade level and type of school is

provided below:

905 students were to be surveyed in the 2nd

form (8th

grade);

o 233 students from private schools and 672 students from public schools.

906 students were to be surveyed from the 4th

form (10th

grade);


766 students were to be surveyed from the 5th

form (11th

grade)


The Questionnaire

The questionnaire used in the Secondary School Drug Prevalence Survey is a standardized

instrument developed by CICAD. It is known as the Inter-American Uniform Drug Use Data

System Survey (SIDUC). The aim of the SIDUC questionnaire is to “obtain cross-cutting

information reflecting certain characteristics of users in certain collective groups.” (SIDUC

Manual, p3). This questionnaire is used by all OAS member states participating in the Secondary

School Drug Prevalence Survey. While it is a uniformed questionnaire each country had the

liberty of adapting the survey to reflect their unique drug situation and terminologies.

The SIDUC questionnaire used in the implementation of the survey in Guyana consisted of 84

questions grouped into 10 sections. Data gathering was totally anonymous and data coverage

included: basic demographic information; students ‘family and socio-economic background;

students ‘academic performance and behaviour in school; students’ age of first drug and alcohol

use; lifetime, annual and current prevalence of drug use by students; the effects drugs and

alcohol use on students’ life; and students’ perception about the use of drugs and their effects.

From this questionnaire, information was gathered on the use of a variety of licit and illicit drugs

by teenagers. These included: tobacco, alcoholic beverages, tranquilizers, stimulants, inhalants,

8

marijuana, cocoa paste, cocaine, heroin, opium, morphine, hallucinogens, hashish crack and

ecstasy.

Data Collection and Data Entry

Once the sample was developed by CICAD, the Coordinator and Technical Advisor developed a

data collection and entry plan. Given the fact that data collection coincided with the Caribbean

Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, the plan focused particularly on capturing

the group of students participating in this regional examination by conferring with the

examination time table.

The Technical Advisor contacted the schools selected, informed the head teachers of the survey

and requested to meet with students of the selected classes. The dates for the visits were selected

based on the CSEC schedule so that the 5th

formers (grade 11) could be accessible after their

exams.

To ensure that data collection was as effective as possible, it was decided that schools would be

visited based on their geographic locations to each other in each of the selected regions. The

team worked in groups of four and six targeting several schools in the selected regions. In the

event that the group was unable to survey a particular class on their initial visit, a call back date

was set by the school’s head teacher.

Once all the data was collected, the team spent four weeks coding and entering the data in the

excel spreadsheet. This information was then sent to CICAD for them to review and validate the

data and develop summary results of students’ responses.

Training

A One (1) day training session was held on April 19, 2013 for the ten enumerators to inform

them of the role they would be playing in this project. The training was conducted by Clement

Henry and Tiffany Barry- the Country Coordinator and Technical Advisor respectively on this

project. At the training, all ten (10) facilitators were introduced and given an overview of the role

9

of the OAS/CICAD in the Secondary School Drug Prevalence Survey. The facilitators were also

briefed on their role and responsibilities on this project. Finally, they were given a copy of the

finalized questionnaire. This questionnaire was thoroughly reviewed with all the participants so

that they understood what each question was asking.

At this training, participants were also informed of their ethical responsibility to the students they

would be working with. The concepts of anonymity and privacy were thoroughly explained.

They were also taught how to handle situations where students chose to opt out of answering the

questionnaire, decided not to complete the questionnaire or if a student seemed to be distressed

by the questionnaire.

A second training session was held on June 7th

with seven (7) privately hired staff to train them

on the data entry format to be used to transcribe the data collected. These seven (7) data entry

personnel were trained on how to use the excel spreadsheet to enter the data, and on what to do

with a problem questionnaire- if it was incomplete, incorrectly answered or appeared to have not

been answered truthfully by the student.

Data Collection and Data Entry schedule

Data collection commenced on May 3rd

and was completed on June 15th

, 2013. This period

included call backs. Coding and data entry commenced on June 8th

and ended on June 28th

, 2013

10

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE

Despite efforts to conduct this survey in all 30 schools selected in the sample, the team was

successful at reaching 28 schools: 19 public schools and 9 private schools. Two of the schools on

the list could not be contacted and it was later discovered that they were no longer in operation.

A total of 1890 questionnaires were administered resulting in 1,712 valid questionnaires. Of the

valid questionnaires: 1,266 were from public schools and 446 were from private schools. The

overall disaggregation by grade levels is listed below:

718 of these students were from the 2nd

form (8th

grade),

615 were from the 4th

form (10th

grade) and

379 were from the 5th

form (11th

grade).

The numbers were especially low for the 5th

form (11th

grade) because as mentioned earlier the

survey schedule coincided with the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)

examination schedule and despite all efforts to work with the schools and the students around

their exam schedule; many students opted to not participate in the survey after they had written

an exam.

Another obstacle that impacted on the amount of data collected was the weather. Due to heavy

rainfall there were significant challenges in reaching students in the more remote regions such as

region 1 and 9. In these regions many students are forced to miss school during the rainy season

because of heavy flooding and long commutes.

Disaggregation of the sample by region showed that 28.1 per cent of the sample was from

Georgetown, 14.5 per cent from Region 6, 13.4 per cent from Region 2, 11.8 per cent from

Region 4 (leaving out schools located in Georgetown), and 10.7 per cent from Region 3.

11

Chart 2.1: Sample Distribution by Regions and Capital City

Further, the data indicated that 92.5 per cent of the students were from public schools and 7.5 per

cent were from private schools.

Chart 2.2: Sample Distribution by Type of School

Based on the results shown on chart below43.7 per cent of the respondents were students in the

8th

grade (Form 2), 35.7 per cent were in the 10th

grade (Form 4) and 20.6 per cent were in the

11th

grade.

12

Chart 2.3: Sample Distribution by Grade Level

With regards to sex, the analysis revealed that 59.6 per cent of the respondents were females and

40.3 per cent males.

Chart 2.4: Sample Distribution by Gender

Further, when the sample was disaggregated by age group the data showed that 43.2 per cent of

the students were from the 15-16 age range, 41.7 per cent were from the 13-14 age range, 8.5 per

cent were 17 or older, 2.1 per cent were from the 11-12 age range, and 4.5 per cent did not

indicate their ages.

13

Chart 2.5: Sample Distribution by Age

Analysing the sample by the marital status of the parents indicated that 50.9 per cent of students

reported that their parents were married, 19.7 per cent reported that the parent they lived with

was single, 11.2 per cent reported that their parents were in a common law relationship, 9.6 per

cent said separated, 3.2 per cent said divorced, and 1.7 per cent said widow(er).

Chart 2.6: Sample Distribution by Parental Marital Status

14

3. PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF DRUG USE

In this section we analyse data on the age of first use of drugs, the prevalence and incidence of

drug use. Whenever we present our results as significant, we do so at conventional confidence

intervals (95% Confidence Intervals).

Average Age of First Use

In analysing the average age of first use our expectation is that students will delay drug use and

thus older ages are seen as an improvement when compared with the previous survey.

The average age of first time use of tobacco moved up from 11.5 years to 11.7 years. Even

though the difference in average age of first use is small it still showed some improvement in this

statistic. The same can be said for alcohol which moved up from 12.2 years to 12.5 years.

Average age of first time use for crack improved from 13.2 years to 14.5 years, and average age

of first time use for ecstasy improved from13.5 years and 14.7 years.

However, the average age of first time use of marijuana declined from 13.3 years to 12.8 years,

for cocaine from 13.0 years to 12.1 and for stimulants from12.0 years to 11.7 years. These

figures indicate that students are using these drugs at a younger age.

Table 3.1: Trend Analysis: Average age of Drug use 2013 and 2007

Type of Drug Average age of First use

2013

2007

Cigarettes 11.7 11.5

Alcohol 12.5 12.2

Tranquilizers 11.7 11.7

Stimulants 11.7 12

Solvents/Inhalants (inhalants) 10.9 11 (both)

Marijuana 12.8 13.3

Cocaine 12.1 13

Crack 14.5 13.2

Ecstasy 14.7 13.5

Any Illegal Drug 11.5 11.4

15

Tobacco/Cigarette

Overall, 16.8 per cent of the students reported that they had smoked cigarette at least once in

their lifetime; 4.6 per cent reported that they had smoked cigarette in the last 12 months; and 2.2

per cent reported smoking cigarette in the last 30 days.

Chart 3.1: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Cigarette Use

There was a significant difference in the life-time prevalence rate for males and females with

regard to smoking cigarettes. The male life-time prevalence rate was 23.5 per cent and the

female life-time prevalence rate was only 12.4 per cent. Private schools showed a significantly

higher life-time prevalence rate than public schools. The life time prevalence rate for private

schools was 23.0 per cent, while the life-time prevalence rate for public schools was 16.3 per

cent.

16

Chart 3.2: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for

Cigarrete Use by Gender

Chart 3.3: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Cigarrete

Use by Type of School

The life-time prevalence rate for cigarette use also differed when disaggregated by grade levels.

The life-time prevalence rate for second form students came in at 11.4 per cent; it was 19.7 per

cent for fourth form students and 23.5 per cent for fifth form students. When we compared data

for the capital, Georgetown, with the rest of the country there was no significant difference in the

results. The life time prevalence rate for schools in Georgetown was 17.0 per cent, while the

life-time prevalence rate for schools outside of Georgetown was 16.8 per cent.


Cigarrete Use by Grade Level

Chart 3.5: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Cigarrete

Use by Area

17

Further, there was no significant difference for either the one-year prevalence rate or the one-

month prevalence rate for cigarette use by students from schools in Georgetown when compared

to those from schools outside of Georgetown. The one-year prevalence rate for schools in

Georgetown was 4.4 per cent, while the one-year prevalence rate for schools outside of

Georgetown was 4.7 per cent. Further, one-month prevalence rate for schools in Georgetown was

2.1 per cent, while the one-month prevalence rate for schools outside of Georgetown was 2.2 per

cent.

Chart 3.6: One-YearPrevalence Rate for Cigarrete

Use by Area

Chart 3.7: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Cigarrete Use by Area

There were significant differences in the results for both one-year prevalence rate and one-month

prevalence rate for cigarette use when the data is disaggregated by type of school. The one-year

prevalence rate for public schools was 4.5 per cent, while the one-year prevalence rate for private

schools was 6.7 per cent. Likewise, one-month prevalence rate for private schools was 4.3 per

cent, while the one-month prevalence rate for public schools was 2.0 per cent.

18

Chart.3.8: One-YearPrevalence Rate for Cigarrete

Use by Type of School Chart 3.9: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Cigarrete Use by Type of School

Next, the data was analysed by grade level. The results showed that there were significant

differences in the results for both one-year prevalence and one-month prevalence rates for

cigarette use when the data is disaggregated by grade levels. The one-year prevalence rate for

fifth form students was 7.9 per cent; the one-year prevalence rate for fourth form students was

6.3 per cent; and the one-year prevalence rate for second form students was 1.7 per cent.

Similarly, the one-month prevalence rate for fifth form students was 4.5 per cent; the one-month

prevalence rate for fourth form students was 2.3 per cent; and the one-month prevalence rate for

second form students was 1.0 per cent.

Chart3.10: One-Year Prevalence Rate for


Chart 3.11: One-Month Prevalence Rate for


19

Analysis of the data on cigarette use by secondary school students with regard to gender revealed

significant differences between males and females for both one-year and one-month prevalence

rates. The male one-year prevalence rate was 6.6 per cent and the female one-year prevalence

rate was 3.3 per cent. Further, the male one-month prevalence rate was 3.9 per cent and the

female one-month prevalence rate was 1.0 per cent.

Chart 3.12: One-Year Prevalence Rate for

Cigarrete Use by Gender Chart 3.13: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Cigarrete Use by Gender

As the chart below show there was no significant difference in the mean age of first use for

males and females.

Chart 3.14: Mean Age of First Use of Cigarettes by Gender

20

Trend analysis with regard to cigarette use revealed that all prevalence rates for cigarette use

declined in 2013 when compared to the 2007 survey. The lifetime prevalence rate declined from

17.8 per cent in 2007 to 16.8 per cent in 2013; one-year prevalence dropped from 6.3 per cent in

2007 to 4.6 per cent in 2013; and one-month prevalence fell from 4.2 per cent in 2007 to 2.2 per

cent in 2013.

Table 3.2: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Cigarette Use, 2007& 2013

The survey also examined the frequency of cigarette use among students who reported cigarette

use over the past 30 days. The results show that 75.4 per cent of the students who reported

cigarette use over the past 30 days stated that they smoked 1 to 5 cigarettes per day, 9.3 per cent

of them stated that they smoked 6 to 10 cigarettes per day and 5.6 per cent stated that they

smoked 11 to 20 cigarettes per day and 9.6 per cent said they smoked more than 20 cigarettes per

day.

Chart 3.15: Frequency of Cigarette Use over the past 30 days

21

Alcohol

Turning to alcohol use among students, the results showed that 52.2 per cent of the students

reported that they had consumed alcoholic drinks at least once in their lifetime; 31.2 per cent

stated that they had consumed alcoholic drinks in the last 12 months; and 16.0 per cent said they

had consumed alcoholic drinks in the last 30 days.

Chart 3.16: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Alcohol Use

Comparative analysis of the 2007 and 2013 survey results revealed that prevalence rates declined

for use of alcoholic drinks. Lifetime prevalence rate dipped from 62.0 per cent in 2007 to 52.2

per cent in 2013; one-year prevalence dropped from 48.7 per cent in 2007 to 31.2 per cent in

2013; and one-month prevalence plummeted from 38.2 per cent in 2007 to 16.0 per cent in 2013.

Table 3.3: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Alcohol Use, 2007 and 2013

22

Analysing lifetime prevalence rates for alcohol use by gender revealed that there was significant

difference in the life time prevalence rates between males and females. The male life-time

prevalence rate for alcohol use was 57.2 per cent and the female life-time prevalence rate for

alcohol use was 49.1 per cent.

The life-time prevalence rate for alcohol use was significantly higher in Georgetown when

compared to the rest of the country. The life time prevalence rate for students attending schools

in Georgetown was 58.3 per cent, while the life-time prevalence rate for schools outside of

Georgetown was 49.9 per cent.

Chart 3.17: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Alcohol

Use by Gender

Chart 3.18: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Alcohol Use

by Area

Students from private schools showed a significantly higher life-time prevalence rate for alcohol

use than those from public schools. The life time prevalence rate for alcohol use by students

from private schools was 61.8 per cent, while the life-time prevalence rate for public schools was

51.4 per cent.

The life-time prevalence rate for alcohol use also differed when disaggregated by grade levels.

The life-time prevalence rate for fifth form students came in at 62.7 per cent; it was 60.0 per cent

for fourth form students and 40.9 per cent for second form students.

23


by Type of School


by Grade Level

Analysis of the data on alcohol use by secondary school students with regard to gender revealed

significant differences between males and females for both one-year and one-month prevalence

rates. The male one-year prevalence rate was 35.7 per cent and the female one-year prevalence

rate was 28.3 per cent. Further, the male one-month prevalence rate was 19.2 per cent and the

female one-month prevalence rate was 13.8 per cent.

Chart 3.21: One-Year Prevalence Rate for Alcohol Use

by Gender Chart 3.22: One-Month Prevalence Rate for Alcohol

Use by Gender

There was significant difference in the one-year prevalence rate for alcohol use between students

from schools in Georgetown and those from schools outside of Georgetown; however, this was

24

not so with regard to one-month prevalence rate for alcohol use. The one-year prevalence rate

for schools in Georgetown was 34.8 per cent, while the one-year prevalence rate for schools

outside of Georgetown was 29.9 per cent.

One-month prevalence rate for alcohol use by students from schools in Georgetown was 16.7 per

cent, while the one-month prevalence rate for alcohol use by students from schools outside of

Georgetown was 15.7 per cent. The lack of significance in the results for one month prevalence

for alcohol use when disaggregated by area suggest that current alcohol use by students both

inside and outside of Georgetown is about the same.

Chart 3.23: One-Year Prevalence Rate for Alcohol

Use by Area Type Chart 3.24: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Alcohol Use by Area Type

There were significant differences in the results for one-year prevalence and one-month

prevalence rates for alcohol use when disaggregated by type of school. The one-year prevalence

rate for public schools was 30.5 per cent, while the one-year prevalence rate for private schools

was 40.6 per cent. Similarly, the one-month prevalence rate for public schools was 15.4 per cent,

while the one-month prevalence rate for private schools was 23.5 per cent.

25

Chart 3.25: One-Year Prevalence Rate for Alcohol Use

by Type of School Chart 3.26: One-Month Prevalence Rate for Alcohol


The data on alcohol use was then disaggregated by grade level. The results were mixed. The

results showed a significantly lower prevalence rate only for form 2 students, while there were

no significant differences in alcohol prevalence among fourth and fifth formers. The results

were the same for both one month and one year prevalence rates. The one-year prevalence rate

for fifth form students was 40.4 per cent; the one-year prevalence rate for fourth form students

was 39.2 per cent; and the one-year prevalence rate for second form students was 20.5 per cent.

Similarly, the one-month prevalence rate for fifth form students was 18.2 per cent; the one-

month prevalence rate for fourth form students was 20.2 per cent; and the one-month prevalence

rate for second form students was 11.4 per cent.

Chart 3.27: One-Year Prevalence Rate for Alcohol Use by

Grade Level Chart 3.28: One-Month Prevalence Rate for Alcohol Use

by Grade Level

26

Frequency of Alcohol Use, Source and Type of Place where Students Obtained Alcohol

The survey then investigated the frequency of alcohol use among students who reported that they

ever drank alcohol paying particular attention to specific categories of alcohol. With regard to

the consumption of beer 46.8 per cent of the students said that they consumed beer a few times in

the past 30 days, 23.1per cent said that they drank beer on week-ends only during the past 30

days, 5.0 per cent reported that they consumed beer several days a week, 8.3 per cent reported

that they consumed beer daily and 16.7 per cent stated that they did not consume beer during the

period.

Turning to wine consumption during the 30 days prior to the survey, 34.5 per cent of the students

reported that they consumed wine a few times in the past 30 days, 15.5 per cent said that they

drank wine on weekends only during the past 30 days, 6.7 per cent reported that they consumed

wine several days a week, 4.6 per cent stated that they consumed wine daily and 38.7 per cent

said that they did not consume wine during the period.

In regards to the consumption of hard liquor during the 30 days prior to the survey, 41.9 per cent

of the students reported that they consumed hard liquor a few times in the past 30 days, 11.2 per

cent said that they drank hard liquor on week-ends only during the past 30 days, 5.4 per cent

reported that they consumed hard liquor several days a week during the past 30 days, 5.1 per cent

stated that they consumed hard liquor daily and 36.4 per cent said that they did not consume hard

liquor during the period.

27

Chart 3:29: Frequency of Beer Use 30 days Prior to the

Survey

Chart 3:30: Frequency of Wine Use 30 days Prior to

the Survey

Chart 3:31: Frequency in the Use of Hard Liquor 30 days Prior to the Survey

The survey also asked students who drank alcohol how many days in the past 30 days they got

drunk. The data indicated that 49.2 per cent of the students who drank alcohol stated that they

did not get drunk in the past month, 33.9 per cent of the of those who drank alcohol reported

being drunk for 1 to 5 days during the past month, 4.9 per cent said they were drunk for 6 to 10

days during the past month and 12.0 per cent said they were drunk for 11 or more days.

28

Chart 3:32 Number of Days Students Reported Being Drunk during the 30 days Prior to the

Survey

The data further indicated that 33.3 per cent of the students who reported drinking alcohol stated

that they drank alcohol at a sporting event, 22.9 per cent drank at other social events, 18.1 per

cent drank at home, 8.2 per cent at school, 4.4 per cent at a friend’s home and 2.3 per cent on the

block. With regard to where the students got alcohol from, 29.0 per cent said they got alcohol

from a shop, 26.7 per cent said they got it from friends, 10.8 per cent said they got it from other

relatives, 9.8 per cent said they got it from parents or guardians, 5.0 per cent said they got it from

a brother or sister and 4.9 per cent said they got alcohol from a street vendor.

Chart 3:33 Type of Place Students Most Often

Drink Alcohol

Chart 3:34 Source of Alcohol Consumed by

Students

29

Marijuana

The data indicate that life-time prevalence for marijuana was 6.6 per cent in 2013 compared to

11.2 per cent in the 2007 survey. This represents a significant drop in life time prevalence for

marijuana. The one year prevalence rate for marijuana was 3.8 per cent and the one-month

prevalence rate was 2.2 per cent. In 2007 the one-year prevalence rate for marijuana use was 6.5

per cent and the one-month prevalence rate was 3.8. Overall, there were improvements in all the

prevalence indicators for marijuana use when 2013 results were compared with 2007 results.

Chart 3.35: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Marijuana Use

Analysing lifetime prevalence rates for marijuana use by gender revealed that there was a

significant difference in the life time prevalence rates among males and females. The male life-

time prevalence rate was 9.9 per cent and the female life-time prevalence rate was 4.5 per cent.

The life-time prevalence rate for marijuana use was significantly higher in Georgetown when

compared to the rest of the country. The life time prevalence rate for students attending schools

in Georgetown was 8.0 per cent, while the life-time prevalence rate for schools outside of


30

Chart 3.36: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Marijuana

Use by Gender


Marijuana Use by Area

Private schools showed a significantly higher life-time prevalence rate for marijuana use than

public schools. The life time prevalence rate for private schools was 16.4 per cent, while the

life-time prevalence rate for public schools was 5.8 per cent.

The life-time prevalence rate for marijuana use also differed somewhat when disaggregated by

grade levels. The life-time prevalence rate for second form students came in at 4.8 per cent; it

was 7.7 per cent for fourth form students and 8.7 per cent for fifth form students.

Chart 3.38: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Marijuana


Chart 3.39: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Marijuana Use

by Grade Level

31

Disaggregation of the data by gender reveals significant differences between male and female

one-year and one-month prevalence rates for marijuana use among secondary school students.

The male one-year prevalence rate was 6.1 per cent and the female one-year prevalence rate was

2.3 per cent. Further, the male one-month prevalence rate was 4.4 per cent and the female one-

month prevalence rate was 0.7 per cent.

Chart 3.40: One-Year Prevalence Rate for Marijuana

Use by Gender Chart 3.41: One-Month Prevalence Rate for Marijuana

Use by Gender

The data indicated differences in both one-year prevalence rates for marijuana use for schools in

Georgetown and those outside of Georgetown. The one-year prevalence rate for schools in

Georgetown was 5.6 per cent, while the one-year prevalence rate for schools outside of

Georgetown was 3.1 per cent. Further, one-month prevalence rate for schools in Georgetown was

3.3 per cent, while the one-month prevalence rate for schools outside of Georgetown was 1.8 per

cent.

32

Chart 3.42: One-Year Prevalence Rate for

Marijuana Use by Area Type Chart 3.43: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Marijuana Use by Area Type

There were significant differences in the results for one-year prevalence and one-month

prevalence rates for marijuana use when disaggregated by type of school. The one-year

prevalence rate for public schools was 3.2 per cent, while the one-year prevalence rate for private

schools was 11.6 per cent. Similarly, one-month prevalence rate for public schools was 1.8 per

cent, while the one-month prevalence rate for private schools was 6.7 per cent.


Use by Type of School Chart 3.45: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Marijuana Use by Type of School

The data on marijuana use was then disaggregated by grade level. The results showed a

significantly lower difference for form 2 students with regards to one-year prevalence and one-

month prevalence rates. The one-year prevalence rate for fifth form students was 5.4 per cent;

the one-year prevalence rate for fourth form students was 4.1 per cent; and the one-year

33

prevalence rate for second form students was 2.9 per cent. One-month prevalence rate for fifth

form students was 2.8 per cent; the one-month prevalence rate for fourth form students was 2.7

per cent; and the one-month prevalence rate for second form students was 1.6 per cent.


Use by Grade Level Chart 3.47: One-Month Prevalence Rate for

Marijuana Use by Grade Level

Cocaine

Turning to cocaine use, the data show that 1.4 per cent of the students used cocaine at least once

in their lifetime; while annual prevalence rate for cocaine was 1.0 per cent and one-month

prevalence rate was 0.7 per cent. Comparatively, in 2007 life-time prevalence rate was 4.1 per

cent; one-year prevalence rate was 2.7 per cent; and one-month prevalence rate was 1.7 per cent.

Chart 3.48: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Cocaine Use

34

Analysing lifetime prevalence rates for cocaine use by gender revealed that there was a

significant difference in the life time prevalence rates among males and females. The male life-

time prevalence rate was 2.6 per cent and the female life-time prevalence rate was 0.6 per cent.

The life-time prevalence rate for cocaine use was higher in areas outside of Georgetown. The life

time prevalence rate for students attending schools in Georgetown was 0.6 per cent, while the

life-time prevalence rate for schools outside of Georgetown was 1.7 per cent.

Chart 3.49: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Cocaine Use

by Gender

Chart 3.50: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Cocaine

Use by Area Type

Further, private schools showed a higher life-time prevalence rate for cocaine use than public

schools. The life time prevalence rate for private schools was 3.4 per cent, while the life-time

prevalence rate for public schools was 1.3 per cent.

With regard to grade levels, the life-time prevalence rate for second form students came in at 1.3

per cent; it was 1.4 per cent for fourth form students and 1.7 per cent for fifth form students.

35

Chart 3.51: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Cocaine


Chart 3.52: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Cocaine Use

by Grade Level

Crack

Analysing the data to assess the extent and patterns of crack use showed that 1.9 per cent of the

students used crack at least once in their lifetime; annual prevalence rate for crack was 1.0 per

cent; and one-month prevalence rate was 0.5 per cent. Comparatively, in 2007 life-time

prevalence rate was 4.0 per cent; one-year prevalence rate was 2.8 per cent; and one-month

prevalence rate was 1.7 per cent.

Chart 3.53: Lifetime, One Year and One Month Prevalence Rates for Crack Use

36

Analysing lifetime prevalence rates for crack use by gender revealed that there was a difference

in the life-time prevalence rates among males and females. The male life-time prevalence rate

was 3.0 per cent, while the female life-time prevalence rate was 1.3 per cent. The life-time

prevalence rate for crack use showed no significant variation when Georgetown is compared to

the rest of the country. The life time prevalence rate for students attending schools in

Georgetown was 1.9 per cent, while the life-time prevalence rate for schools outside of


Chart 3.54: Life-Time Prevalence Rate for Crack Use

by Gender


by Area Type

Analysis of the data on the use of crack by type of school also yielded no significant variation

between the results for private and public schools. The life time prevalence rate for private

schools was 2.0 per cent, while the life-time prevalence rate for public schools was 1.9 per cent.

The life-time prevalence rate for second form students came in at 1.2 per cent; it was 2.3 per cent

for fourth form students and 2.7 per cent for fifth form students.

37


by Type of School


by Grade Level

Other Drugs

The chart below presents the life-time prevalence rates for the use of other drugs based on the

survey data. The life-time prevalence rate for solvents and inhalants was 10.8 per cent; it was

3.2 per cent for tranquilizers, 2.9 per cent for stimulants, 1.6 per cent for ecstasy, 1.0 per cent for

heroin, 0.7 per cent each for morphine and hallucinogens, and 0.6 per cent each for opium and

hashish.

38

Chart 3.58: Lifetime Prevalence Rates for Selected Drugs

The past year prevalence rate for solvent and inhalants was 4.4 per cent; it was 1.3 per cent for

tranquilizers, and 1.1 per cent for stimulants.

Chart 3.59: Past-Year Prevalence Rates for Selected Drugs

39

The one-month prevalence rate for solvents and inhalants was 2.9 per cent; it was 0.9 per cent for

tranquilizers, and 0.9 per cent for stimulants.

Chart 3.60: One-Month Prevalence Rates for Selected Drugs

Incidence

The survey also investigated drug incidence. A comparison of 2013 incidence rates and 2007

incidence rates for drug consumption was conducted. Beginning with tobacco, the one-year

incidence rate was reduced from 4.8 per cent in 2007 to 4.1 per cent in 2013; and the one-month

incidence rate fell from 1.8 per cent in 2007 to 1.2 per cent in 2013. Moving to alcohol, the one-

year incidence rate dropped from 37.7 per cent in 2007 to 27.2 per cent in 2013; and the one-

month incidence rate fell from 19.3 per cent in 2007 to 12.0 per cent in 2013.

The marijuana one-year incidence declined from 4.5 per cent per cent in 2007 to 3.1 per cent in

2013; and the one-month incidence rate decreased from 1.9 per cent in 2007 to 1.2 per cent in

2013. Cocaine one-year incidence fell from 2.1 per cent per cent in 2007 to 0.9 per cent in 2013;

and the one-month incidence rate dropped from 0.9 per cent in 2007 to 0.5 per cent in 2013. For

crack, one-year incidence dropped from 2.2 per cent in 2007 to 1.2 per cent in 2013; and one-

month incidence fell from 1.1 per cent in 2007 to 0.2 per cent in 2013. Ecstasy one-year

40

incidence declined from 2.1 per cent per cent in 2007 to 0.9 per cent in 2013; and one-month

incidence decreased from 1.1 per cent in 2007 to 0.3 per cent in 2013

With regards to tranquilizers one-year incidence declined from 3.1 per cent in 2007 to 1.6 per

cent in 2013; and one-month incidence decreased from 1.6 per cent in 2007 to 1.2 per cent in

2013. One-year incidence for the use of stimulants fell from 4.1 per cent per cent in 2007 to 1.3

per cent in 2013; and one-month incidence dropped from 1.7 per cent in 2007 to 0.7 per cent in

2013. One year incidence for solvents/inhalants decreased from 9.8 per cent in 2007 to 5.3 per

cent in 2013; and one-month incidence fell from 6.2 per cent in 2007 to 3.0 per cent in 2013.

Table 3:4: Incidence Rates for Drug Use

Typ

e of

Dru

g Incidence Rates

2013 2007

One-year (%) One-month

(%)

One –Year (%) One-Month

(%)

Tobacco 4.1 1.2 4.8 1.8

Alcohol 27.2 12.0 37.7 19.3

Tranquilizers 1.6 1.2 3.1 1.6

Stimulants 1.3 .7 4.1 1.7

Solvents/inhalants 5.3 3.0 9.8 6.2

Marijuana 3.1 1.2 4.5 1.9

Cocaine .9 .5 2.1 .9

Crack 1.2 .2 2.2 1.1

Ecstasy .9 .3 2.1 1.1

Any Illegal Drug 7.6 3.5 16.0 10.7

41

4. ACCESS TO ILLICIT DRUGS

Students were asked a series of questions in relation to their access to illicit drugs such as

marijuana, cocaine, crack and ecstasy. They were also asked how often these drugs were offered

to them, where it was being offered and who offered these drugs to them. The results are

presented below.

Secondary School Students ‘Perception on their Ease of Access to Illicit Drugs

Marijuana

When asked how difficult it would be to access Marijuana, the results were as follows: 16.3 per

cent of students said it would be easy to access the drug, 18.0 per cent said it would be hard to

access marijuana, 28.5 per cent said they would not be able to access any and 35.9 per cent of

students said that they do not know if it would be hard or easy for them to access marijuana.

Cocaine

When asked how difficult it would be to access Cocaine, the results were as follows: 5.9 per cent

of students said that it would be easy for them to access the drug, 21.9 per cent said that it would

be hard for them to access, 33.3 per cent said they would not be able to access any and 35.3 per

cent of students said that they do not know if it would be hard or easy for them to access cocaine.

Crack

When asked how difficult it would be to access Crack, 5.4 per cent of students said that it would

be easy for them to access the drug, 19.7 per cent said it would be hard for them to access it, 34.0

per cent said that they would not be able to access this drug and 37.3 per cent of students said

that they do not know if it would be hard or easy for them to access crack.

Ecstasy

When asked how difficult it would be for them to access Ecstasy, 5.8 per cent of students said

that it would be easy for them to access the drug, 18.0 per cent of them said that it would be hard

42

for them to access it, 33.2 per cent of students said that they would not be able to access the drug

and 39.1 per cent of students said that they do not know if it would be hard or easy for them to

access ecstasy.

Summarising this subsection, marijuana appeared to be the most accessible illicit drug for

secondary school students with 16.3 per cent of them indicating that it would be easy to access

this drug, while cocaine is the most challenging drug for students to access, 21.9 per cent of

students indicated as such. Moreover, crack appears to be the most elusive drugs for students to

access, with 34 per cent of students saying that they would not be able to access any. Overall,

perceptions on the level of access students have to illicit drugs appeared low.

Table 4.1: Perception of Secondary School Students on their Ease of Access to Illicit Drugs Access to Illicit Drugs Marijuana

%

Cocaine

%

Crack

%

Ecstasy

%

It would be easy to access 16.3 5.9 5.4 5.8

It would be hard to access 18.0 21.9 19.7 18.0

I Would not be able to get any 28.5 33.3 34.0 33.2

I Do not know if it would be hard or easy

to access

35.9 35.3 37.3 39.1

Missing Data 1.3 3.5 3.6 3.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Guyana School Drug Survey, 2013 Cases Weighted

Secondary School Students’ Report on whether they were offered Illicit Drugs

Marijuana

According to the data, 12.4 per cent of students surveyed were offered marijuana. 8.1 per cent of

them were offered it within the past year and 4.3 per cent of students surveyed were offered

marijuana over the past month.

43

Cocaine

With regards to cocaine, it was offered to 4.9 per cent of students surveyed. 3.3 per cent of them

were offered it within the past year and 1.5 per cent of students surveyed were offered cocaine

over the past month.

Crack

Further analysis of the data showed that 4.3 per cent of students surveyed were offered Crack.

2.7 per cent of students were offered it within the past year and 1.0 per cent of students surveyed

were offered crack over the past month.

Ecstasy

Analysis of the data also revealed that 4.0 per cent of students surveyed were offered ecstasy. 2.6

per cent of them were offered it within the past year and 1.1 per cent of students surveyed were

offered ecstasy over the past month.

Table 4.2: Secondary School Students’ Report on whether they were Offered Illicit Drugs

When was Illicit Drugs were offered Marijuana

%

Cocaine

%

Crack

%

Ecstasy

%

Ever offered 12.4 4.9 4.3 4.0

Offered in the past year 8.1 3.3 2.7 2.6

Offered in the past month 4.3 1.5 1.0 1.1


Secondary School Students’ Report on where they were Offered Illicit Drugs

Marijuana

1.9 percent of students were offered marijuana at home; 1.7 per cent at school; 2.4 per cent on

the block; 2.1 per cent at a friend’s house; 1.7 at a sporting event and 1.1 per cent at other social

events.

44

Cocaine

0.6 percent of students was offered cocaine at home; .6 per cent at school; .7 per cent on the

block; 1.0 per cent at a friend’s house; .4 at a sporting event and .4 per cent at other social events.

Crack

0.5 percent of students was offered crack at home; .5 per cent at school; .5 per cent on the block;

.8 per cent at a friend’s house; .7 at a sporting event and .4 per cent at other social events.

Ecstasy

0.4 per cent of students were offered ecstasy at home; 0.3 per cent at school; 0.4 per cent on the

block; 0.7 per cent at a friend’s house; 0.5 at a sporting event and 0.7 per cent at other social

events.

Table 4.3: Secondary School Students’ Response on Where Illicit Drugs were Offered

Where Illicit Drug was Offered Marijuana

%

Cocaine

%

Crack

%

Ecstasy

%

At Home 1.9 0.6 0.5 0.4

At School 1.7 0.6 0.5 0.3

On the Block 2.4 0.7 0.5 0.4

At a Friend’s House 2.1 1.0 0.8 0.7

At Sporting Event 1.7 0.4 0.7 0.5

At other Social Events 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.7


Secondary School Students’ Response on who offered them Illicit Drugs

Marijuana

2.2 per cent of students were offered marijuana by a relative/family member; 6.8 per cent by a

friend; 2.6 per cent by someone they knew but who was not a friend; 1.2 were offered this drug

by someone they did not know.

45

Cocaine

0.7 per cent was offered cocaine by a relative/family member; 1.6 per cent by a friend; 1.3 per

cent by someone they knew but who was not a friend; 0.5 were offered this drug by someone

they did not know.

Crack

0.6 per cent was offered cocaine by a relative/family member; 1.7 per cent by a friend; 1.2 per


they did not know.

Ecstasy

0.5 per cent was offered ecstasy by a relative/family member; 1.6 per cent by a friend; 0.9 per


they did not know.

Table 4.4: Secondary School Students’ Response on who offered them Illicit Drugs

Person who Offered Drug Marijuana

%

Cocaine

%

Crack

%

Ecstasy

%

A Relative/Family Member 2.2 0.7 0.6 0.5

A Friend 6.8 1.6 1.7 1.6

An Acquaintance 2.6 1.3 1.2 0.9

A stranger 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.4


Drugs at School

Students were then asked if there are drugs such as marijuana at your school, results showed that

44.0 per cent of the students surveyed did not know if there were drugs at their school; 29.3 per

cent of students indicated yes that there are drugs at their school; and 26.7 per cent of students

indicated no that there are no drugs at their school.

46

Chart 4.1: Students’ Perception on whether there are Drugs at their School

Students Bring Drugs to School

When asked to respond to the question, “do you believe that there are students who bring, try or

deal drugs at your school,” there was a statistically significant difference in the responses. 42.9

per cent of students indicated yes, while 20.0 per cent of students stated no and 37.1 per cent of

students did not know if students were bringing, trying or dealing drugs in their schools.

Chart 4.2: Students’ Perception on whether Students bring Drugs School

47

Drugs next to School

When asked if there are drugs in the area surrounding the school, 39.4 per cent of students states

yes, 19.4 per cent of students responded no and 41.2 per cent of students state that they do not

know if there are drugs in the area surrounding their school.

Chart 4.3: Students’ Perception on whether there is Drugs Next to their School

Students Try/Deal Drugs Outside of School

When asked if there are students who try or deal drugs just outside of school, 37.0 per cent of

students responded yes; 20.3 per cent no and 42.7 per cent indicated that they do not know if

there are students trying or dealing drugs outside of school.

48

Chart 4.4: Students’ Perception on whether there are Students who try/deal Drugs Outside of

their School

Ever Seen Students Selling or Giving Drugs around School

When asked to respond to the question “have you personally seen a student selling or giving

drugs at school or in the area around school,” 12.5 per cent of students answered yes; 69.8 per

cent of students no and 17.7 per cent of students indicated that they do not know if this is

occurring.

49

Chart 4.5: Students’ Responses to witnessing drugs being sold or given by other students around

School

Students Using Drugs around School

When asked about drug use in schools, 22.0 per cent of the students responded yes: they have

seen students using drugs around school. 62.4 per cent of students responded no and 15.6 per

cent of students stated that they did not know if students were using drugs around school.

Chart 4.6: Students’ Responses to witnessing Drugs being used around School

50

5. CURIOSITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO TRY ANY ILLICIT DRUGS

Looking at how curious students were about trying an illicit drug, 76.5 per cent of students stated

that they were not curious about trying any illicit drug; 14.8 per cent of students said that they

were interested and 8.7 per cent of them said that they were not sure.

Chart 5.1: Students’ Curiosity about Trying Illicit Drugs

Students were further asked if given the opportunity to try an illicit drug would they and the

results were as follows: 81.9 per cent of students stated that they would not try it; 6.3 per cent of

students said yes and 11.7 percent of students said they were not sure.

Chart 5.2: Student’s Response about Trying an Illicit Drug if they had the Opportunity

Looking at how curious students are about trying specific illicit drugs, the following was

revealed.

51

Marijuana

86.8 per cent of students said they were not curious about trying marijuana; 7.7 per cent of

students responded yes and 5.4 per cent of students said that they were not sure.

Cocaine

94.7 per cent of students said they were not curious about trying cocaine, 2.5 per cent of students

said yes and 2.8 per cent of students said that they were not sure.

Crack

95.3 per cent of students said that they were not curious about trying crack, 1.7 per cent of

students said yes and 2.9 per cent of students said that that they were not sure.

Ecstasy

92.3 percent of students said they were not curious to try ecstasy, 3.6 per cent said yes and 4.1

per cent of students said that they were not sure.

Table 5.1: Students’ Curiosity about Trying Marijuana/Ganja or Cocaine

Table 5.2: Students’ Curiosity about Trying Crack or Ecstasy

YES NO Maybe YES NO Maybe

7.7% 86.8% 5.4% 2.5% 94.7% 2.8%

Curiosity to try any of the following:

Marijuana/Ganja

Curiosity to try any of the

following: Cocaine

Guyana School Drug Survey 2013

YES NO Maybe YES NO Maybe

1.7% 95.3% 2.9% 3.6% 92.3% 4.1%


Curiosity to try any of the

following: Crack

Curiosity to try any of the following:

Ecstasy

52

6. STUDENTS ASSOCIATION WITH FRIENDS WHO USE DRUGS

Friends who Drink Alcohol

Overall, more than half -59.6 per cent- of the respondents indicated that they do not have friends

who drink alcohol, 7.3% indicated that they had one friend who consumed alcohol, while 28.2%

indicated that some of their friends consumed alcohol and 4.9% of students said that they had a

lot of friends who consumed alcohol.

However, when disaggregated by gender, it was revealed that female students were more likely

not to associate with persons who consumed alcohol than male students as 63.5 per cent of

female indicated that none of their friends drink alcohol compared to 53.7 per cent of male

students. Of the students who do have at least one friend who drinks alcohol, 6.7 per cent were

females as compared to 8.3 per cent of male students. 26.0 per cent of female students have some

friends who consume alcohol, while 31.4 per cent of male students have the same. Moreover,

only 3.7 per cent of female students indicated that they have a lot of friends who drink alcohol,

compared to 6.6 per cent of male students.

Chart 6.1: Association with Friends who Consume Alcohol

53

Chart 6.2: Association with Friends who Consume Alcohol by Gender

Friends who Smoke Marijuana

As with alcohol, the majority of respondents indicated that they do not have friends who smoke

marijuana with 86.5 per cent of students stating that none of their friends smoke marijuana.

However when disaggregated by gender, it was revealed that female students are less likely to

associate with persons who smoke marijuana; the data revealed that; 90.5 per cent of female

students stated that they have no friends who smoke marijuana, compared to 80.5 per cent of

male students. Of students who have one friend who smokes marijuana, 2.2 per cent are female

students, while 5.5 per cent are male students. Additionally, while 6.1 per cent of female students

indicated that some of their friends smoke marijuana, 11.3 per cent of male students indicated the

same. Finally, while 1.2 per cent of female students have a lot of friends who smoke marijuana,

2.8 per cent of male students stated the same.

54

Chart 6.3: Association with Friends who Smoke Marijuana

Chart 6.4: Association with Friends who Smoke Marijuana by Gender

55

7. STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF THEIR FRIENDS ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THEIR DRUG USE

Students were asked to assess how their close friends would respond to them consuming

marijuana and the responses were as follows. More than half of the students were of the opinion

that all of their friends would disapprove of their use of marijuana (52.2 per cent), while 28.4 per

cent said that some of their friends would disapprove, and 19.4 per cent said that none of their

friends would disapprove of them smoking marijuana.

Chart 7.1: Students’ Perception on Whether Friends would disapprove them Using Marijuana

Apart from showing disapproval, 65.1 percent of the students said that all their friends would try

to convince them to stop smoking marijuana. 26.7 per cent of students stated that some of their

friends would try to convince them to stop. However, only 8.2 per cent of students said that none

of their friends would try to convince them to stop smoking marijuana.

While there appear to be substantial peer support against marijuana use still more effort is

needed in this area. In fact, the data indicated that about 45.5 per cent of the students said that

some of their friends or none of friends who would not disapprove of their using marijuana and

just around 64.3 per cent of the students were of the view that all their friends would convince

them not to smoke marijuana. Efforts at the peer group should be focused at getting youths to

practice healthy lifestyles including avoiding the use of drugs and encouraging their friends to do

so.

56

Chart 7.2: Students’ Perception on Whether Friends would convince them to Stop Using

Marijuana

57

8. STUDENTS PERCEPTION OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH OF DRUG USE

Tobacco/Cigarettes

Students were asked their opinion on the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes sometimes and

the results were as follows: 3.7 per cent of them said it was not harmful, 32.9 per cent said it was

slightly/moderately harmful, 52.6 per cent said it was very harmful and 10.8 per cent of students

said they did not know what the risks are of smoking cigarette sometimes.

Chart 8.1: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Smoking cigarettes

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of smoking cigarettes sometimes revealed

that, there was no change in the opinion that it was not harmful as 3.7 per cent of students stated

this in both 2007 and 2013. However, there was an increase in students who are of the opinion

that smoking cigarettes sometimes is very harmful, 52.6 per cent in 2013, compared to 48.5 per

cent of students in 2007. There was a significant decrease in the number of students who

believed that smoking cigarettes even occasionally is slightly/moderately harmful from 40.4 per

cent in 2007 to 32.9 per cent in 2013.

58

Table 8.1: Trend Analysis on Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Smoking

cigarettes sometimes 2013 and 2007

In your opinion how harmful is

smoking cigarette sometimes to your

health

2013 2007

Not Harmful 3.7 3.7

Slightly/Moderately Harmful 32.9 40.4

Very Harmful 52.6 48.5

Don't Know 10.8 7.4


Smoking Cigarettes Frequently

When asked about the effects of smoking cigarettes frequently, 1.4 per cent of students said it

was not harmful, 16.8 per cent of students said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 69.4 per cent

of students said it was very harmful and 12.4 per cent of students said they did not know what

the effects are.

Chart 8.2: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Smoking cigarettes frequently

59

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of smoking cigarettes frequently revealed that,

there was a minor decrease in students’ perception that smoking cigarettes frequently is not

harmful; from 1.9 per cent of students in 2007 to 1.4 per cent of students in 2013. There was

significant decrease in the number of students who shared the opinion that smoking cigarettes

frequently is very harmful, from 77.1 per cent in 2007 to 69.4 per cent in 2013. There was a

slight increase in the number of students who believed that smoking cigarettes frequently is

slightly/moderately harmful from 11.9per cent in 2007 to 16.8 per cent in 2013.


cigarettes frequently, 2013 and 2007

In your opinion, how harmful is

smoking cigarettes frequently to your

health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 1.4 1.9



Don't Know 12.4 9.2


Alcohol

Students were asked their opinion on the harmful effects of consuming alcohol frequently and

the results were as follows: 4.5 per cent said it was not harmful, 31.1 per cent of students said it

was slightly/moderately harmful, 52.3 per cent said it was very harmful and 12.0 per cent of

students said they did not know what the effects are.

60

Chart 8.3: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Drinking Alcohol Frequently

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of drinking alcohol frequently revealed that,

there was not much change in students’ perception that drinking alcohol frequently is not

harmful; from 4.3 per cent of students in 2007 to 4.5 per cent of students in 2013. There was

significant decrease in the number of students who shared the opinion that drinking alcohol

frequently is very harmful, from 61.3 per cent in 2007 to 52.3 per cent in 2013. There was a

slight increase in the number of students who believed that drinking alcohol frequently is

slightly/moderately harmful from 27.6 per cent in 2007 to 31.1 per cent in 2013.

Table 8.3: Trend Analysis on Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Drinking

Alcohol Frequently 2013 and 2007


Drinking Alcohol frequently to your

health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 4.5 4.3



Don't Know 12.0 6.8


61

Getting Drunk

When asked their opinion on getting drunk, 4.1 per cent of students said that it was not harmful,

while 60.4 per cent of students were of the opinion that getting drunk was very harmful. 24.9 per

cent of students indicated that it was slightly/moderately harmful while 10.5 per cent of students

said that they did not know if getting drunk was harmful to their health.

Chart 8.4: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Getting Drunk

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of getting drunk revealed that, there was a

slight increase in students’ perception that getting drunk was not harmful, from 3.5 per cent in

2007 to 4.1 per cent in 2013. There was a significant decrease in students’ perception that getting

drunk was very harmful, from 69.0 per cent in 2007 to 60.4 per cent in 2013. There was

however, a slight increase in the number of students who perceived getting drunk to be slightly

or moderately harmful, from 20.6 per cent in 2007 to 24.9 per cent in 2013.

62

Table 8.4: Trend Analysis on Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Getting Drunk

2013 and 2007


Getting Drunk to your health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 4.1 3.5



Don't Know 10.5 6.9


Tranquilizers/Stimulants

Students were asked their opinion on the harmful effects of taking tranquilizers/stimulants

sometimes and the results were as follows: 3.1 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 20.7

per cent of students said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 53.9 per cent of students said it was

very harmful, while 22.3 per cent of students said they did not know what the effect of taking

tranquilizers/stimulants would be on their health.

Chart 8.5: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Taking Tranquilizers/Stimulants

Sometimes

63

Taking tranquilizers/stimulants frequently

When asked what would be the effect of taking tranquilizers/stimulants frequently on their

health, students gave the following responses. 2.4 per cent of students said it was not harmful,

15.7 per cent of students said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 59.0 per cent of students said it

was very harmful and 22.9 per cent of students said they did not know what the effect would be.

Chart 8.6: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Taking Tranquilizers/Stimulants

Frequently

Marijuana

When asked their opinion on the harmful effects of smoking marijuana sometimes, students gave

the following responses; 2.2 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 33.5 per cent of

students said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 54.7 per cent of students said it was very

harmful and 9.6 per cent of students said they did not know

64

Chart 8.7: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Smoking Marijuana Sometimes

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of smoking marijuana sometimes revealed

that, there was a slight decrease in students’ perception that smoking marijuana sometimes was

not harmful, from 3.7 per cent in 2007 to 2.2 per cent of students in 2013. There was also a slight

decrease in students’ perception that smoking marijuana sometimes was very harmful, from 56.2

per cent in 2007 to 54.7 per cent in 2013. Overall, the number of students who were of the

opinion that smoking marijuana sometimes was slightly/moderately harmful increased by a small

percentage, from 31.9 per cent in 2007 to 33.5 per cent in 2013.


Marijuana Sometimes 2007 and 2013

In your opinion, how harmful is smoking Marijuana Sometimes to your health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 2.2 3.7



Don't Know 9.6 8.2


65

Smoking marijuana frequently

When asked their opinion on the effects of smoking marijuana frequently on their health, the

results were as follows; 2.1 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 14.9 per cent of students

said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 73.4 per cent of students said it was very harmful and

9.7 per cent of students said they did not know what the effect would be.

Chart 8.8: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Smoking Marijuana Frequently

Trend analysis on students’ opinion of the effects of smoking marijuana frequently, revealed that

there was no real change in students’ opinion that smoking marijuana frequently was not harmful

as 2.0 per cent of students said that it was not harmful in 2007 and 2.1 per cent responded

similarly in 2013. There was a slight decrease in the number of students who were of the opinion

that smoking marijuana was very harmful; from 76.0 per cent in 2007 to 73.4 per cent in 2013.

14.9 per cent of students indicated that smoking marijuana frequently was slightly/moderately

harmful to their health in 2013 compared to 13 per cent of students in 2007.

66

Table 8.6: Trend analysis on Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Smoking

Marijuana Frequently 2013 and 2007


smoking marijuana frequently to your

health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 2.1 2.0



Don't Know 9.7 8.9


Cocaine/Crack

When asked about their opinion on the effects of consuming cocaine/crack sometimes on their

health, students responded in the following way; 1.6 per cent of students said it was not harmful,

22.6 per cent of students said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 63.5 per cent of students said it

was very harmful and 12.4 per cent of students said they did not know what the effects would be

on their health.

Chart 8.9: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with using cocaine/crack sometimes

67

Consuming cocaine or crack frequently

When asked about the effects of consuming cocaine/crack frequently, students’ opinion were as

follows; 1.6 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 11.6 per cent of students said it was

slightly/moderately harmful, 71.9 per cent of students said it was very harmful and 15.0 per cent

of students said they did not know.

Chart 8.10: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with using cocaine/crack frequently

Ecstasy

Students were asked their opinion on the harmful effects of consuming ecstasy sometimes and

the results were as follows: 3.4 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 24.4 per cent of


harmful and 31.6 per cent of students said they did not know what the effects would be.

68

Chart 8.11: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Using Ecstasy Sometimes

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of using ecstasy sometimes revealed that,

there was no real change in students’ opinion that it was not harmful to their health, as 3.6 per

cent of students shared this opinion in 2007 and 3.4 per cent in 2013. There was an increase in

students’ opinion that using ecstasy sometimes was very harmful, from 36 per cent in 2007 to

40.6 per cent in 2013. There was also a very small increase in students’ opinion that using

ecstasy sometimes was slightly or moderately harmful, from 23.7 per cent in 2007 to 24.4 per

cent in 2013.

Table 8.7: Trend Analysis on Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Using Ecstasy

Sometimes 2013 and 2007


using Ecstasy sometimes to your

health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 3.4 3.6



Don't Know 31.6 36.7


69

Consuming ecstasy frequently

Students were asked their opinion on the harmful effects of consuming ecstasy sometimes and

the results were as follows: 2.7 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 15.2 per cent of


harmful and 28.8per cent of students said they did not know what the effects would be.

Chart 8.12: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Using Ecstasy Frequently

Trend analysis for students’ opinion on the effects of using ecstasy frequently revealed that, there

was an increase in the number of students who share the opinion that using ecstasy frequently

was not harmful to their health from 1.7 per cent in 2007 to 2.7 per cent in 2013. The number of

students who were of the opinion that using ecstasy frequently was very harmful also increased

from 47.6 per cent in 2007 to 53.4 per cent in 2013. There was a small increase in the number of

students who are of the opinion that using ecstasy frequently was either slightly or moderately

harmful to their health, from 14.8 per cent in 2007 to 15.2 per cent in 2013.

70

Table 8.8: Trend Analysis on Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with Using Ecstasy

Frequently 2013 and 2007

In your opinion, how harmful is using

Ecstasy frequently to your health?

2013 2007

Not Harmful 2.7 1.7



Don't Know 28.8 35.8


Inhaling Second Hand Cigarette and Marijuana Smoke

Inhaling Second Hand Cigarette Smoke

Students were asked their opinion on the harmful effects of inhaling second hand cigarette smoke

and the results were as follows: 2.4 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 24.5 per cent of


harmful, 12.6 per cent of students said they did not know what the effects are.

Chart 8.13: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with inhaling second hand cigarette

smoke

71

Inhaling second hand Marijuana smoke

When asked their opinion on the harmful effects of inhaling second hand marijuana smoke,

students gave the following results: 2.3 per cent of students said it was not harmful, 18.2 per cent

of students said it was slightly/moderately harmful, 65.5 per cent of students said it was very

harmful and 14.1 per cent of students said they did not know what the effects would be.

Chart 8.14: Students’ Perception on the Risks Associated with inhaling second hand Marijuana

smoke

72

9. BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER CORRELATES OF DRUG USE AMONG

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

School Attendance

When assessing the relationship between drug use and students’ attendance at school, it was

discovered that students who skipped school were more likely to also be using drugs and

consuming alcohol. While this correlation does not indicate causation, it does illustrate that there

is a relationship between the two activities.

Looking at the association between current use of alcohol and students skipping school, it was

discovered that of the students who admitted to consuming alcohol in the past month 13.0 per

cent reported skipping school several times or often in the last month. Of the students who did

not report consuming alcohol in the past month only 5.0 per cent stated that they skipped school

several times or often in the last month.

Similarly, of the students who admitted to using marijuana in the past month, 24.1 per cent

reported skipping school several times or often in the last month. Of the students who stated that

they did not consume alcohol the past month, only 5.9 per cent said they skipped school several

times or often in the last month.

Chart 9.1: The Association between Alcohol

Consumption and School Attendance

Chart 9.2: The Association between Marijuana

Use and School Attendance

73

Looking at the association between current use of cocaine and students skipping school, the data

revealed that of students who admitted to using cocaine in the past month, 25.2 per cent reported

skipping school several times or often in the past month. Of the students who reported not using

cocaine during the past month only 6.2 per cent stated that they skipped school several times or

often in the past month.

Similarly, of the students who admitted to using crack in the past month, 34.7 per cent reported

skipping school several times or often in the past month. Of the students who did not report using

crack in the past month, only 6.2 per cent stated that they skipped school in the past month.

Chart 9.3: The Association between Cocaine Use

and School Attendance

Chart 9.4: The Association between Crack Use

and School Attendance

Low Grades on School Test and Projects

Assessing the relationship between academic performance and drug use, analysis of the data

revealed that students who used drugs were performing at a lower standard than students who do

not.

Turning attention to the association between current use of alcohol and academic performance,

the analysis showed that of the students who admitted to consuming alcohol in the past month,

3.2 per cent reported that they often or almost often received lower grades on test and school

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projects. Of the students who reported not consuming alcohol in the past month only 2.7 per cent

stated that they often or almost often received lower grades on test and school projects.

Next, of the students who admitted to using marijuana, 12.3 per cent reported that they often or

almost often received lower grades on test and school projects. Comparatively, students who

reported not using marijuana in the past month, only 2.6 per cent stated that they often or almost

often received lower grades on test and school projects.


Consumption and Academic Performance

Chart 9.6: The Association between

Marijuana Use and Academic Performance

Likewise, of the students who admitted to using cocaine in the past month, 11.8 per cent reported

that they often or almost often received lower grades on test and school projects. Of the students

who reported not using cocaine in the past month, only 2.7 per cent stated that they often or

almost often received lower grades on test and school projects.

Additionally, of the students who admitted to using crack in the past month 16.3 per cent

reported that they often or almost often received lower grades on test and school projects and

among those reporting that they did not use crack in the past month only 2.7 per cent stated that

they often or almost often received lower grades on test and school projects.

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Chart 9.7: The Association between Cocaine

Use and Academic Performance

Chart 9.8: The Association between Crack Use

and Academic Performance

Get into Angry Arguments and Fights

Analysing behavioural patterns, it was revealed that the more students who reported current use

of drugs, also got into arguments and fights when compared to students who did not report

current use.

The data revealed that of the students who admitted consuming alcohol in the past month, 4.8 per

cent reported that they often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights, while among

students who reported that they did not consume alcohol in the past month only 2.0 per cent said

that they often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights.

With regards to marijuana, of the students who admitted to using the drug in the past month, 17.1

per cent reported that they often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights, while

among students who reported that they did not use marijuana in the past month only 2.1 per cent

stated that they often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights.

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Consumption and Getting into Angry

Arguments and Fights

Chart 9.10: The Association between Marijuana

Use and Getting into Angry Arguments and

Fights

Correspondingly, 13.5 per cent of the students who reported using cocaine in the past month

stated that they often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights, while among students

who mentioned that they did use cocaine in the past month only 2.4 per cent stated that they

often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights.

Additionally, of the students who admitted to using crack in the last month 29.2 per cent reported

that they often or almost often got into angry arguments and fights and among students who said

that they did not use crack in the last month only 2.3 per cent stated that they often or almost

often got into angry arguments and fights.

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Fights

Chart 9.12: The Association between Crack


Fights

Problems with Family/Friends/Households

In assessing the dynamics between relationships and drug use among students, it was revealed

that students, who reported current use of drugs, also had problems within their households and

with family and close friends.

Among students who admitted to consuming alcohol in the past month, 6.0 per cent reported that

they often or almost often have problems with family and friends. Of the students who did not

report consuming alcohol in the past month only 1.9 per cent stated that they often or almost

often have problems with family and friends.

Further, among students who admitted using marijuana in the past month 15.6 per cent reported

that they often or almost often have problems with family and friends, while among students who

did not report using marijuana in the past month only 2.3 per cent stated that they often or almost


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Consumption and Having Problems at Home Chart 9.14: The Association between

Marijuana Use and Having Problems at Home

Likewise, of the students who admitted using cocaine in the past month, 22.2 per cent reported

that they often or almost often have problems with family and friends and among students who

did not report using cocaine in the past month only 2.4 per cent stated that they often or almost


Additionally, of the students who admitted using crack in the past month, 14.6 per cent reported

that they often or almost often have problems with family and friends, while among students who

did not report using crack in the past month, only 2.5 per cent stated that they often or almost



Use and Having Problems at Home Chart 9.16: The Association between Crack

Use and Having Problems at Home

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Students reporting being Taken Advantage of Sexually

In assessing the dynamics between current usages of drugs and students being taken advantage of

sexually, it was revealed that the more students who reported that sexual liberties were taken

towards them also reported current use of drugs.

As the data revealed among students who admitted consuming alcohol in the past month, 3.1 per

cent reported that they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties

with them. While among students who did not report consuming alcohol in the past month only

1.1 per cent stated that they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual

liberties with them.

Similarly, of the students who admitted using marijuana in the past month, 12.6 per cent reported

that they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties with them.

While among students who did not report using marijuana in the past month, only 1.2 per cent

stated that they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties with

them.


Consumption and being taken sexual

advantage of


Marijuana Use and being taken sexual

advantage of

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that they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties with them.

Of the students who did not report using cocaine in the past moth only 1.3 per cent stated that

they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties with them.

Further, of the students who admitted using crack in the past month, 20.6 per cent reported that

they frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties with them. Of the

students who did not report using crack in the past month, only 1.4 per cent stated that they

frequently had someone making sexual advances or taking sexual liberties with them.


Cocaine Use and being taken sexual

advantage of

Chart 9.20: The Association between Using Crack

and being taken sexual advantage of

Taking Sexual Advantage of Someone

Turning to the issue of respondents taking advantage of someone sexually, 3.1 per cent of the

students who reported consuming alcohol in the past month stated that they frequently took

sexual advantage of someone, while among students who did not report using alcohol for the past

month only 1.1 per cent stated that they frequently took sexual advantage of someone.

Similarly, of the students who reported using marijuana in the past month, 20.0 per cent said that

they frequently took sexual advantage of someone, while among students who did not report

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using marijuana in the past month only 1.0 per cent stated that they frequently took sexual

advantage of someone.


Consumption and Taking Sexual Advantage of

Someone


Marijuana Use and Taking Sexual Advantage

of Someone

The same pattern was observed among students who admitted using cocaine in the past month

where 23.4 per cent of them reported that they frequently took sexual advantage of someone,

compared to 1.2 per cent among students who reported that they did not use cocaine in the past

month.


that they frequently took sexual advantage of someone. While among students who did not report

using crack in the past month, only 1.2 per cent stated that they frequently took sexual advantage

of someone.

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Use and Taking Sexual Advantage of Someone

Chart 9.24: The Association between Crack

Use and Taking Sexual Advantage of

Someone

Harmed Self

The data also showed patterns of association between drug use and intentional self-harm. With

regard to students who admitted consuming alcohol in the past month, 4.8 per cent reported that

they often or almost always harmed themselves, while among students who did not report

consuming alcohol in the past month only 2.4 per cent stated that they often or almost always

harmed themselves.

Similarly, of the students who admitted using marijuana in the last month, 10.5 per cent reported

that they often or almost always harmed themselves, while among students who did not report

using marijuana in the past month, only 2.6 per cent stated that they often or almost always

harmed themselves.

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Consumption and Causing Self Harm Chart 9.26: The Association between

Marijuana Use and Causing Self Harm

Similarly, among students who admitted using cocaine in the past month, 34.1 per cent reported

that they often or almost always harmed themselves and for students who did not report using

cocaine in the past month only 2.6 per cent stated that they often or almost always harmed

themselves.

In addition, for students who admitted using crack in the past month, 30.8 per cent reported that

they often or almost always harmed themselves, while among students who did not report using

crack in the past month, only 2.6 per cent stated that they often or almost always harmed

themselves.


Use and Causing Self Harm Chart 9.28: The Association between Crack

Use and Causing Self Harm

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Seriously Thinking of Suicide

The analysis also found that among students who admitted consuming alcohol in the past month,

5.6 per cent reported that they often or almost always seriously thought about suicide, while for

students who did not report consuming alcohol in the past month only 2.0 per cent reported that

they often or almost always seriously thought about suicide.

Similarly, of the students who admitted using marijuana in the past month, 8.8 per cent reported

that they often or almost always seriously thought about suicide. Of the students who did not

report using marijuana in the past month, only 2.5 per cent reported that they often or almost

always seriously thought about suicide.


Consumption and Thoughts of Suicide Chart 9.30: The Association between

Marijuana Use and Thoughts of Suicide



report using cocaine in the past month only 2.5 per cent reported that they often or almost always

seriously thought about suicide.



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report using crack in the past month, only 2.6 per cent reported that they often or almost always

seriously thought about suicide.


Use and Thoughts of Suicide Chart 9.32: The Association between Crack

Use and Thoughts of Suicide

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10. CONCLUSION

The Report sets out to present key findings related to the consumption of licit and illicit drugs

among secondary school students in Guyana based on information collected from a sample of

secondary school students from both public and private schools across Guyana.

Among the findings were marginal increases in the average age of first time use for tobacco,

alcohol, crack and ecstasy when the 2013 results are compared with the 2007 results. However,

the survey revealed that students were using marijuana and cocaine at a marginally lower age

when the two survey results are compared.

Prevalence rates for the main licit and illicit drugs declined when the 2013 survey is compared

with 2007. All prevalence rates for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and crack use declined

in 2013 when compared to the results of the 2007 survey.

Males generally showed greater prevalence rates and higher risks to drug use. Students at private

school showed higher prevalence rates when compared to their counterparts in public schools.

Incidence rates were also reduced when comparative analysis was conducted on the 2007 survey

results and the 2013 survey results. Incidence rates for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine,

crack and ecstasy all dropped in 2013.

Survey results also revealed that Marijuana appeared to be the most accessible of the illicit drugs

in the opinion of students.

While there appears to be substantial peer support against marijuana use still more effort is

needed in this area. Efforts at the peer group should be focused at getting youths to practice

healthy lifestyles including avoiding the use of drugs and encouraging their friends to do so.

DRUG USE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GUYANA

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