Cannabis Use during Adolescence: An Overview in Luxembourg and in Comparison to other European Countries

Introduction: Cannabis is the most widely consumed illegal drug worldwide. The use of cannabis is a risk factor for mental illnesses, but also for social problems such as lower educational attainment and the use of other drugs. Consumption is considered particularly harmful if it starts early in adolescence, if in a high-dose and if it continues on a regular basis.
Purpose: This study aims to give an overview on adolescents’ cannabis consumption in Luxembourg (how often and when they started consuming cannabis) and in comparison with other European countries.
Materials and Methods: In 2014, 3461 students in secondary school took part in the HBSC study. The questionnaire translated to both French and German. They answered, among other health related questions, about their cannabis use (30 days and lifetime prevalence), as well as when they started consuming it.
Results: Two groups were formed: 15-16 and 17-18 years old. In the 15-16 group, 11.2% used cannabis in the past 30 days and 21.7% tried it at least once in their lives. In the age group of 17-18, 15.2% stated using it in the last month and 38% in lifetime. Regarding the use in the past 30 days split by gender, the prevalence for girls is 8.9% and 13.8% for boys (15-16 age group) and 10.6% and 20.1% respectively (17-18 year-olds). The lifetime prevalence for 15-16 years old is 18% for both girls and boys, higher than the 13% HBSC participant countries (mostly European) mean for girls and 17% for boys. Finally, about the age they first tried cannabis, 6.8% of boys and 5.3% of girls responded the age of 12 (or younger), a similar ascendant curve is found and the prevalence of 25% for boys is reached at the age of 14 years, as for girls it is at 14.2 years old.
Conclusion: First, our results highlight the differences between the 30-day versus lifetime consumption, indicating the latter is much more widespread than the regular consumption. Secondly, the older the students are, the higher the proportion of cannabis users, for both boys and girls, with regular consumption being more frequent among boys. In addition, consumption in a lifetime in Luxembourg is higher than other Europeans countries. Finally, a quarter of consumers started at the age of 14 or younger. This data indicates not only that prevention programs still are in need, but they should start early.