National Secondary
School Drug Prevalence
Survey Report
Report on Drug Use in Belize
The National Drug Abuse Control Council Belize
conducted this National Secondary School Drug
Prevalence Survey. It focused on a population of
8,929 students from 30 selected Belizean secondary
schools (high school) between ages 13 and 17 years.
Mr. Ion Cacho, UWI Open Campus, Belize
4/4/2014
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Country Information ................................................................................................................................. 5
Methodology................................................................................................................................................. 9
Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 9
Data Collection ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Sample Design ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Population Represented ......................................................................................................................... 10
Data Input ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Data Collection ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Limitations .............................................................................................................................................. 12
Chapter 1 Alcohol........................................................................................................................................ 13
1.1
Prevalence and Patterns of Alcohol Use ..................................................................................... 13
1.1.1
Prevalence of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students .............................................. 13
1.1.2
Binge Drinking ......................................................................................................................... 13
1.1.3
Gender Differences in Alcohol Prevalence among Secondary School Students ..................... 14
1.2
Prevalence of Alcohol Use by Friends ......................................................................................... 15
1.3
Discussion on Alcohol ................................................................................................................. 15
Chapter 2 Marijuana ................................................................................................................................... 15
2.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Marijuana Use ...................................................................................... 15
2.1.1 Prevalence of Marijuana Use among Secondary School Students ................................................ 15
2.1.2 Marijuana versus Tobacco Use among Secondary School Students ............................................. 15
2.2 Prevalence of Marijuana Use ............................................................................................................ 16
2.3 Differences in Marijuana Use by Gender .......................................................................................... 16
2.3.1 Marijuana use by Gender among Secondary School Students ...................................................... 16
2.6 Discussion on Marijuana ................................................................................................................... 17
Chapter 3 Inhalants and Solvents ............................................................................................................... 18
3.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Inhalants and Solvents Use................................................................... 18
3.1.1 Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents Use among Secondary School Students ............................ 18
3.1.2 Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvent Use by Age among Secondary School Students .................. 18
3.2
Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents Use by Gender ................................................................ 19
3.2
Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents by Category of School ..................................................... 19
3.4 Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents by Academic Problems ......................................................... 20
3.5 Discussion on Inhalants and Solvents Use ........................................................................................ 20
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Chapter 4 Cocaine, Crack, Coca Paste, and Any Illegal Drugs ..................................................................... 21
4.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Cocaine and Crack Use ......................................................................... 21
4.1.1 Prevalence of Cocaine and Crack Use among Secondary School Students ................................... 21
4.1.2Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Gender .................................................................................. 21
4.1.3Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Grade Level ........................................................................... 22
4.1.4Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Category of School ................................................................ 22
4.1.5Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Academic Problems .............................................................. 23
4.1.6 Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Grade Repetition.................................................................. 23
4.2 Prevalence and Patterns of any Illegal Drug ..................................................................................... 24
4.2.1 Prevalence of Illegal Drug Use among Secondary School Students............................................... 24
4.2.2 Illegal Drug Use Prevalence by Age Group among Secondary School Students ............................ 24
4.2.3 Illegal Drug Prevalence by Gender among Secondary School Students ........................................ 25
4.2.4 Prevalence of Illegal Drug Use by Category of School ................................................................... 26
4.3 Discussions on Illegal Drug Use ......................................................................................................... 26
4.4 Prevalence and Patterns of Tranquilizers and Stimulants ................................................................ 27
4.4.1 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use among Secondary School Students ................... 27
4.4.2 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use by Age Group among Secondary School Students
................................................................................................................................................................ 27
4.4.3 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use by Gender among Secondary School Students . 28
4.4.4 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use by Category of School........................................ 28
Chapter 5 The Non-Medical Use of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Prescription Drugs ................................... 30
5.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Use ........................................................................................................ 30
5.2 Discussion on the Non-Medical Use of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Prescription Drugs ................... 30
Chapter 6 Perception of Risk Associated with Drug Consumption and Availability of Drugs ..................... 31
6.1 Perception of Risk Associated with Drug Consumption and Availability of Drugs ........................... 31
6.2 Treatment for Drug Use .................................................................................................................... 31
Discussion.................................................................................................................................................... 31
Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 32
Policy Recommendations........................................................................................................................ 32
Program Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 33
Research Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 34
Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 34
References .................................................................................................................................................. 35
Appendix I ................................................................................................................................................... 36
Appendix II .................................................................................................................................................38
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Executive Summary
The National Drug Abuse Control Council Belize in collaboration with The Inter-American
Observatory on Drugs (OID), under the auspices of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control
Commission (CICAD) conducted this National Secondary School Drug Prevalence Survey. The
information collected provides a general assessment of the state of drug consumption as it relates
to secondary school students in the country of Belize. The population that this survey focused on
was secondary school students.
The most relevant observation of this study is that alcohol and marijuana remains prevalent
amongst this population. Whilst marijuana remains an omnipresent drug, there is a gradual
increase in the prevalence of inhalants and stimulants. Cocaine and related products are also on
the rise. Based on past year and past month prevalence rates, secondary school students smoke
marijuana more than tobacco.
Belize, like other countries in the region remained faced with the challenge of adolescent
alcohol and other drug (AOD) misuse. There was limited documentation on binge drinking
in Belize; however, it is a well known fact that at the upper levels of high school and at the
tertiary level, binge drinking is a popular feature on weekends. Unfortunately, police and in
most cases, primary care personnel may not have been aware of the condition with which
they may have been dealing. The study reveals that binge drinking is a concern among the
population. This poses serious implications for alcohol policy in Belize. Prescription drugs,
inhalants and solvents are growing concerns as youths seem to be seeking out accessible drugs to
get high.
With reference to marijuana, Belizean secondary school students reported marijuana use
prevalence of 23.9% lifetime usage, 15.7% past year and 10.5% past month. Prevalence of
lifetime use of tranquilizers and stimulants without a doctor’s prescription is 4.6% and
2.6% respectively. It is evident that prescription drug misuse is now a growing concern,
particularly since many drugs are still available, over the counter; in the country and the
accessibility by secondary school students are not monitored.
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This study reveals that overall alcohol had the highest lifetime prevalence followed by
tobacco/cigarettes and then marijuana. It is evident that Belize must take urgent
preventive measures against illicit drugs and establish controls to deter the ease of access
to alcohol and tobacco, as well as over the counter drugs in order to ensure that the
nation’s young population does not become even more endangered.
Introduction
Country Information
Belize is a country located on the north eastern coast of Central America. It is the only
country in Central America where English is the official language, although Creole and
Spanish are more commonly spoken. The ethnic diversity of Belize consists of Mestizo
(50%), Creole (21%), Mayan (10%), Multi-ethnic (6%), Garinagu (4.5%), German
(Mennonite – 3.6%), East Indians (2.1%) and others (1.9%).
Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the
east by the Caribbean Sea. Belize mainland is about 180 mi long and 68 mi wide with 8,867
sq. mi of land and a population of 312, 698 inhabitants according to the 2010 population
census. Belize possesses the lowest population density in Central America. The country’s
population growth rate of 3.15% (2012 est.) is the second highest in the region and one of
the highest in the western hemisphere.
Belize's rugged geography has also made the country's coastline and jungle attractive to
drug smugglers, who use the country as a gateway into Mexico. In 2011, the United States
added Belize to the list of nations considered major drug producers or transit countries for
narcotics.
While over 60% of Belize's land surface is covered by forest, recent studies indicate that
some 20% of the country's land is covered by cultivated land (agriculture) and human
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settlements. Savannah, scrubland and wetland constitute the remainder of Belize's land
cover. Important mangrove ecosystems are also represented across Belize's landscape.
Belize has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons, although there are
significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures vary according to
elevation, proximity to the coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds
off the Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from 24 °C (75.2 °F)
in January to 27 °C (80.6 °F) in July. Temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the
southern highland plateaus, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, where it is noticeably cooler
year round. Overall, the seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall
than in temperature.
Belize is divided into 6 districts; Belize District of 89,247 is the most populous, with 29% of
the country’s total population; the capital city, Belmopan is 52 miles west of Belize City the
former capital.
Since its independence in 1981, Belize is a parliamentary democracy, a Commonwealth
realm, and therefore a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The structure of
government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modelled
on the Common Law of England. The head of state is Elizabeth II, Queen of Belize. Since the
Queen resides in the United Kingdom, she is represented in Belize by the Governor-General.
However, the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of Belize, who is head of government,
acting as advisor to the Governor-General, in practice exercise executive authority. Cabinet
ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold
elected seats within it concurrent with their cabinet positions.
The bicameral National Assembly of Belize is composed of a House of Representatives and
a Senate. The 31 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term
and introduce legislation affecting the development of Belize. The Governor-General
appoints the 12 members of the Senate, with a Senate president selected by the members.
The Senate is responsible for debating and approving bills passed by the House.
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Belize is a full participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Central
American Integration System (SICA), The United Nations, and the Organization of American
States.
There are district councils and each functioning independently of the other. This serves as
a form of political decentralization intended to encourage local autonomy and social
participation in the country’s development. Councils are legally independent and have the
authority to make bylaws, impose house and land taxes, and receive an annual subvention
from the central government. Council elections are held every three years.
Belize has a small, essentially private enterprise economy that is based primarily on
agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction
recently assuming greater importance. In 2006, the exploitation of a newly discovered
crude oil field near the town of Spanish Lookout has presented new prospects and
problems for this developing nation. It has yet to be seen if significant economic expansion
will be made by this. To date, oil production equal 3,000 bbl/d (480 m3/d) (2007 est.) and
oil exports equal 1,960 bbl/d (312 m3/d) (2006 est.). The country is a producer of
industrial minerals. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the
banana industry is the country's largest employer.
The government faces important challenges to economic stability. Rapid action to improve
tax collection has been promised, but a lack of progress in reining in spending could bring
the exchange rate under pressure. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in
early 1999, leading to a preliminary estimate of revived growth at 4%. Infrastructure
continues to be a major challenge for the economic development of Belize. Belize has the
most expensive electricity in the region. Trade is important and the major trading partners
are the United States, Mexico, the European Union, and Central America.
Belize conducted a national labour force survey in April 2012 to estimate employment
levels in the country. The survey targeted 2,800 randomly selected households
countrywide and obtained responses from about 85 percent of them. This amounted to
almost ten thousand respondents (9,980). Approximately two-thirds of the respondents
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were of working age (14 years and over) and of that amount, 65.6 percent were either
working or available to work. The remaining 34.4 percent were housewives, students and
retirees who were no longer interested in working, and were therefore regarded as not
being in the labour force.
Of the respondents who were of working age, 3,583 persons were classified as employed
and 598 as unemployed, yielding a national unemployment rate of 14.4 percent. The female
unemployment rate (22.3 percent) continued to be more than twice the male
unemployment rate (9.1 percent). According to Statistical Institute of Belize records, these
are the highest unemployment rates that Belize has experienced since April 1998 when the
national rate was 14.3 percent, with similar percentages of males (10.6 percent) and
females (21.3 percent) being out of work. Over the past decade, the national
unemployment rate in April fluctuated between 9 percent and 13 percent.
As in previous years, young people (14 to 24 years) were most affected by limited job
opportunities. During the month of the survey, they experienced almost the exact
unemployment rate (25.3 percent) as in April 1998. Their unemployment rate was highest
in the Belize (25.9 percent) and Cayo (29.70 percent) districts and lowest, at approximately
22 percent, in the northern districts and Toledo.
Growing at an annual average rate of 3.2 percent over the last five years, the employed
population totalled 126,722 in April 2012. Of this figure, 57.2 percent were employed by
private businesses and other non-government entities, 12.3 percent by the public sector,
26.7 percent self-employed and 3.6 percent were unpaid family workers. The median
monthly income per worker was $886, compared to $772 five years ago.
To help enhance their chances for employment, the Government of Belize has organized
youth skills training programs in urban and rural areas for out of school youth. The country
is attempting to identify issues and priorities for poverty reduction and alleviation; this
effort is supported by regional and international agencies. The approach is multi-sectoral
with a mix of social safety net operations and the investment programmes. The investment
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components involved youth skills development of the social infrastructure and small
enterprise for example RESTORE Belize and the Youth Apprenticeship program.
The literacy rate in 2000 was 76.9%; 77.1% for females and 76.7% for males. There are a
number of kindergartens and secondary and tertiary schools in Belize. They provide
quality education for students which are mostly funded by the government. Belize
possesses about 5 tertiary level institutions offering associates, bachelors, and
undergraduate degrees. The biggest university is the University of Belize.
Of the total population in 2010, 50.5% was male and 49.5%, female; 23.9% was under the
age of 14 and 4.3% was 65 years older. The urbanization was estimated at 52%. Statistical
Institute of Belize data recorded a household size of 3.9 in 2010 as compared to 4.5 in
2000. The estimated fertility rate in Belize in 2011 is averaging 3.15 children born per
woman. In 2011 the crude birth rate was estimated at 26.02 per 1000 population.
Methodology
Objectives
The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, perception pattern (trend)
and age of first use of drugs consumption among the secondary students throughout Belize.
In addition, the study sought:

To provide a tool for policy and decision makers at the national level to combat the
drug problem and its human and financial consequences in Belize.

To generate statistics for stakeholder agencies

To provide statistics that would inform recommendations for future policy
orientation, and

To provide information to both demand and supply reduction section in an effort to
guide program planning.
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Data Collection
The study utilized a quantitative methodology through a survey instrument provided by
CICAD’s Inter-American Drug Use Data System, known by its Spanish acronym
SIDUC.CICAD created a standardized data collection instrument that provides for
uniformity in reporting data. Students were asked to complete the questionnaires. They
were able to address questions and concerns with the Research Assistant who was present
at the time of the interview. These questionnaires were completed in the presence of the
Research Assistant.
Sample Design
A total of 30 schools were selected to form the sample frame. Request for approval was
sent to Ministry of Health’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Ministry of Education
– Belize to conduct the survey within these schools. All students who participated in the
study were later referred to their school’s counsellor in case any matters arose from the
study. Letters were sent to all selected schools. The schools agreed to participate in the
study.
Using the CICAD standards, the sampling procedures, data collection, questionnaires and data
management methods area are standardized as per other countries.
Population Represented
The target population for the school surveys was a general population of 8,929 students
from Belizean secondary schools (high school) between ages 13 and 17. Belizean school
system, which is Forms 2, 4and the first year of 6th Form correspond roughly to forms 2, 4
and 5in the Caribbean nations, and grades 8, 10 and 12 in the United States and Canada.
It was projected that a total sample of 2,399 students would participate in the study.
However, a total of 1, 943 students representing 30 schools from across the country of
Belize participated in the school survey 2013. These students were from public, private
schools or other institutions. The total sample size featured: 942 males and 994 females.
The age range of the sample participants were from age 11 years to over 17 years. 500
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participants (25.7%) were between the ages of 11 – 14 years, 746 (38.4%) participants
were between the age of 15 – 16 years and 646 (33.2%) participants were age 17 and over.
969 participants (49.9%) were in 8th grade, 738 (38%) in 10th Grade, and 236 (12.1%)
participants in 12th Grade. 1744 participants (89.8%) were attending public school, 81
(4.2%) attending private school and 116 (6.1%) other institutions.
47.9% (930) participants came from households with married parents; 19.2% (373)
participants came from single parent households; 15.2% (295) participants were from
households with parents in common-law relationships; 10.1% (196) participants were
from separated households; 2.6% (51) participants’ parents were divorced; and 2.2% (43)
participants were from households classified as “other”.
Data Input
The data input was carried out at UWI, Open Campus, Belize computer lab. Prior to the
data input, there was a two-day training session with the data entry clerks. The training
session was facilitated by the Project Coordinator (NDACC) and the Technical Advisor
(UWI, Open Campus, Belize) which was held in October 2013. The data input started in
October 2013 and all the questionnaires were coded and arranged by districts (6). There
were a total of 6 data entry clerks inclusive of a supervisor, the Technical Advisor also
helped in the supervision of the process and monitored the data entry progress. The data
entry template was sent by OAS/CICAD and only 50 questionnaires could be processed at a
time by each clerk. To verify errors double data entry was used. The data entry was
completed in November 2013 and the data sets were sent to OAS/CICAD for analysis.
Data Collection
The survey captured data on the use of specific drugs such as: tobacco/cigarettes, alcohol,
tranquilizers, marijuana, stimulants, cocaine, crack, solvents, inhalants, heroin, opium, coca
paste, hallucinogens, ecstasy, sprangah, morphine and other illegal drugs.
The drug usage was measured through three indicators:
1. Lifetime prevalence – which is the percentage of the targeted population that had
used drugs at least once in their lifetime;
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2. Prevalence in the last year, which is the percentage that had used drugs one or more
times in the 12 months preceding the survey; and
3. Prevalence in the last month, which is the percentage of the population that had
used drugs one or more times in the 30 days immediately preceding the survey.
Lifetime prevalence is generally identified as an indication of the level of experimental drug
use while past month (use in the past 30 days) is an indicator of current usage.
To buttress the prevalence data, other relevant information was also collected on factors
such as students’ family composition, usage of drugs and alcohol by friends, personal
opinion about harmfulness of identified drugs, personal predisposition to drug use,
exposure to prevention measures, etc.
The questionnaire was organized into the following sections:
1. Basic socio-demographic data
2. Parental involvement
3. Risk perception and curiosity
4. Access to illicit drugs and supply
5. Tobacco/Cigarettes
6. Alcohol
7. Lifetime prevalence and age of first use
8. Prevalence year, month, incidence and frequency of use
Limitations
Students who participated in the study required a signed consent from their parents. Some
students were unable to gain signature and parent’s approval or consent to participate in
the study. The study also presents cross-sectional data which portrays the prevalence at
given point in time.
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Chapter 1 Alcohol
1.1
Prevalence and Patterns of Alcohol Use
1.1.1 Prevalence of Alcohol Use among Secondary School Students
Lifetime prevalence of alcohol was 66%; past year 48.4% and past month
33.1%.Participants from divorced households reported the highest lifetime prevalence of
alcohol – 79.03%. This is followed closely by participants from separated parents
household: 73.81%; widow(er) households: 74.63%; single parent households: 65.27%;
and married households: 61.17%.
1.1.2 Binge Drinking
Binge Drinking Indicator
CICAD Secondary School Survey
In the past 2 weeks, how many times have
you consumed 5 alcoholic drinks or more in
one sitting?
1. Never
2. Only one
3. Between 2 and 3 times
4. Between 4 and 5 times
5. More than 5 times
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Binge drinking is higher amongst females than males in secondary schools in Belize.
Female students surveyed were more likely to participate in binge drinking than their male
counterparts, where 8.1% of the female students surveyed reported to have consumed
more than 5 alcoholic drinks in the past 2 weeks in a sitting compared to 6.4% males.
Among 12th graders (6th formers) binge drinking decreased and was 5.5% but higher when
compared to first formers (8th graders). Binge drinking was highest for students between
the ages of 15 -16 and over 17 years at 7.6% respectively. Students between the ages of 11
-14 reported a 5.3% rate.
1.1.3 Gender Differences in Alcohol Prevalence among Secondary School
Students
Females had a higher lifetime prevalence of alcohol use – 64% and males lifetime
prevalence was 66.2%. Female past year prevalence was lower than male past year
prevalence and past month prevalence.
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1.2
Prevalence of Alcohol Use by Friends
4thformers reported the highest percentage, 47.6% of them were aware of friends who use
alcohol.
1.3
Discussion on Alcohol
The risk perceptions associated with binge drinking are notable. 49% of the students felt
that drinking alcohol frequently was very harmful and 26.1% reported it was moderately
harmful; 57.7% viewed getting drunk as very harmful whilst 17.2% indicated it was
moderately harmful.
Students between the ages of 12 – 15 years reported their first usage of alcohol with age 14
years having 17.7%; age 13 years – 16.0%; age 15 – 12.8% and finally, age 12 years –
12.3% first time alcohol usage/users.
Males reported highest lifetime, past month and past year prevalence when compared to
females. For males, the lifetime prevalence of alcoholic drinks is 34.5%; the past month
prevalence is 34.5% and the past year prevalence is 49.9%. As it relates to females, lifetime
prevalence was 64.0%; past month prevalence 30.1% and past year prevalence 45.3%.
Chapter 2 Marijuana
2.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Marijuana Use
2.1.1 Prevalence of Marijuana Use among Secondary School Students
Lifetime prevalence of marijuana was 24.3%; past year prevalence 15.9%; and past month
prevalence 10.7%.
2.1.2 Marijuana versus Tobacco Use among Secondary School Students
The lifetime prevalence of tobacco is 32.7% when compared to marijuana lifetime
prevalence of 24.3%.
The past year prevalence for tobacco is 14.4% compared to
marijuana 15.9% and past month prevalence is 8.2% compared to 10.7%.
Males reported higher lifetime, past year and past month prevalence for cigarettes when
compared to females. Lifetime prevalence of cigarettes for males stood at 40.3% compared
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to 24.6% for females, past year prevalence was 19.5% compared to 9.1% for females and
past month prevalence was 12.0% compared to 4.2% - almost three times higher – for
females.
2.2 Prevalence of Marijuana Use
Lifetime prevalence of tobacco for the general population stood at 32.3%; past year
prevalence 14.2% and past month prevalence 8.1%.
2.3 Differences in Marijuana Use by Gender
Marijuana use by gender indicated that 47.5% males reported that none of their friends
smoked regularly whilst 44% indicated that some of their friends smoked marijuana. This
compared to the female where 65.4% reported that none of their friends smoked
marijuana but 22.8% reported some of their friends smoked marijuana.
The gender results, using the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), indicate that for those
who had no problem with their cannabis use, 67.8% were male and 32.3% were female.
For those who had a low risk, 78.1% were male and 21.9% were female. The results for
those who had high risk, 79.6% were male and 20.4% were female.
2.3.1 Marijuana use by Gender among Secondary School Students
The male population reported higher lifetime, past month and past year prevalence of
marijuana when compared to the female population. Lifetime prevalence of marijuana for
males was 31.7% and 16.7% for females; past year prevalence stood at 22.5% for males
and 9.2% for females while past month prevalence for males was 16.2% compared to 5.1%
for females.
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2.6 Discussion on Marijuana
According to the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), males are at higher risk of
cannabis abuse where 79.6% of males are high risk and 20.4% females are high risk.
Persons between the ages of 11-14 had 12.6% high risk; 15 -16 years – 43.4% and persons
over 17 years – 39.5%. The highest risk population of cannabis abuse is male between the
ages of 15 -16 years.
54.1% of students felt it was very harmful; 14.7% moderately harmful and 10.5% slightly
harmful to inhale second hand marijuana spoke. 12.7% did not know whether there was
any harm in inhaling second hand marijuana smoke. Frequent smoking of marijuana was
viewed as very harmful by 59.5% of the students whilst 31.9% indicated that smoking
marijuana sometimes was very harmful to your health.
Students between the age of 13 and 15 years experience their first usage of marijuana; however,
18.4% agreed that they had first used marijuana at 15 years. Comparably, students reported
that they first smoked cigarettes between the ages of 13 and 15 years. 15.1% reported first
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usage at age 13 years; 15.0% reported first usage at age 15 years and finally, 12.8%
reported their first usage at age 14 years.
Chapter 3 Inhalants and Solvents
3.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Inhalants and Solvents Use
3.1.1 Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents Use among Secondary School
Students
The lifetime prevalence of solvents and inhalants was 10.1%. The lifetime prevalence of
inhalants and solvents use was higher for males (10.6%) than for females (9.8%). The
same is true for the past year where males reported 6.4% and females – 4.8%. For past
month prevalence, males report 3.7% and females 2.8%.
3.1.2 Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvent Use by Age among Secondary School
Students
Lifetime prevalence of inhalants and solvents use among students between the ages of 11 14 years was highest at 12.4%, followed by 11.3% for students between the ages of 15 -16
years. Notably, students 17years and over had the lowest lifetime prevalence of 6.3%.
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3.2
Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents Use by Gender
The lifetime prevalence of inhalants and solvents use was higher for males (10.6%) than
for females (9.8%). The same is true for the past year where males reported 6.4% and
females – 4.8%. For past month prevalence, males report 3.7% and females 2.8%.
3.2
Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents by Category of School
Students in private school were more likely to use inhalants and solvents; however a larger
percentage of public school students had used inhalants and solvents in the past year and
past month.
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3.4 Prevalence of Inhalants and Solvents by Academic Problems
Students who did not experience a sense of belonging at school had the highest lifetime
prevalence rate of inhalants and solvents use. Students who skipped school often reported
a lifetime prevalence rate of 25.73% which is highest when compared to students who
skipped school a few times: 11.89% and students who skipped school several times:
11.37%. Students with recorded absences from school of more than 30 days (regardless of
reason) reported the highest lifetime prevalence of inhalants and solvents – 20.95%.
Students who perceived their relationship as very bad with their teachers had a prevalence
rate of 18.75%. Students who repeated forms/grades were more likely to use inhalants or
solvents and had a prevalence rate of 13.84%. Notably, the students who did not repeat
grades/forms had a 10.74% prevalence rate.
3.5 Discussion on Inhalants and Solvents Use
The risk perception of solvents and inhalants among the youth population was high. In
general, 60.9% of students felt that frequent inhalation of solvents was very harmful.
However, 15% felt it was moderately harmful and 16.5% indicated that they were not
aware of the risks associated with frequent inhalation.
The reported age when students experience their first usage of inhalants such as: glue,
diesel, fuel etc. is at age 10 years (12.9%) and age 13 years (12.3%).Lifetime, past month
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and past year prevalence of solvents and inhalants was higher for males than for females.
Lifetime prevalence for males was 10.5% and for females 9.8%; past year prevalence for
males 6.4% and 2.8% for females and past month prevalence of males 3.7% and 2.8% for
females.
Chapter 4 Cocaine, Crack, Coca Paste, and Any Illegal Drugs
4.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Cocaine and Crack Use
4.1.1 Prevalence of Cocaine and Crack Use among Secondary School Students
Lifetime prevalence of coca paste was 0.7%. Lifetime prevalence of cocaine 3.0%; past year
prevalence 1.6% and past month prevalence 0.8%.
4.1.2Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Gender
Male students were more likely to use cocaine/crack in their lifetime and past year than
female students. However, both males and females had the same cocaine usage in the past
month. Males had 2.2% past year prevalence rate and the females had 1.2%.
21 | P a g e
4.1.3Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Grade Level
About 1 in every 10 students in 10th grade reported that they used crack in the past year.
Students in 8th grade were more likely to use cocaine than students in 10th and 12th Grades.
4.1.4Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Category of School
Students in public schools were more likely to take crack cocaine than students in private
schools. For students in public schools, the past year prevalence for cocaine was 1.5%
higher than the prevalence rate of 1.0% for crack.
22 | P a g e
Notably, students in private schools and other institutions did not report crack or cocaine
usage.
4.1.5Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Academic Problems
Students who indicated that they were unhappy when they go to school had a lifetime
prevalence rate of 16.49% whilst students who indicated that they were very unhappy
when they went to school had a 16.20% lifetime prevalence rate.
Students who did not experience a sense of belonging at school had a7.59% lifetime
prevalence rate when compared to those students who reported that they experienced a
sense of belonging at school who had a 2.45% lifetime prevalence rate.
Students who had a very bad relationship with teachers had an 18.80% lifetime prevalence
rate. Students who were absent from school, regardless of reason, for more than 30 days
had a lifetime prevalence rate of 15.91% and those who indicated that they skipped school
often lifetime prevalence rate was 20.42%.
4.1.6 Prevalence of Crack Cocaine Use by Grade Repetition
The lifetime prevalence of cocaine for students who repeated two or more forms was
higher than students who repeated no forms or once.
23 | P a g e
4.2 Prevalence and Patterns of any Illegal Drug
4.2.1 Prevalence of Illegal Drug Use among Secondary School Students
Students in 10th grade had the highest lifetime prevalence of illegal drug usage among
secondary school students – 38.9%, with past year prevalence of 23.6% and past month
prevalence of 16.5%. 8th graders lifetime prevalence, past year and past month prevalence
of illegal drug use was 29.6%, 17.9% and 11.7% respectively. For 12th graders, lifetime
prevalence was 29.2%, past year prevalence 17.4% and past month prevalence was 9.3%.
4.2.2 Illegal Drug Use Prevalence by Age Group among Secondary School
Students
Students between the age of 15 -16 years reported the highest lifetime, past year and past
month prevalence of illegal drug use –36.7%, 22.3% and 14.2% respectively.
Next,
students 17 years and older, reported lifetime prevalence of illegal drug use of 36.1%, past
year 21.8% and past month 15.8%. Students between the ages of 11 -14 had lifetime
prevalence of 24.6%, past year prevalence of 14.6% and past month prevalence of 9.2%.
24 | P a g e
4.2.3 Illegal Drug Prevalence by Gender among Secondary School Students
Male students were more likely to use illegal drugs. Lifetime prevalence of illegal drug use
for males was 40.2% and 25.8% for females. Past year prevalence for males was 27.2%
when compared to 12.8% for female students – almost double. Similarly, past month
prevalence for males was 19.4% and for females 7.1%.
25 | P a g e
4.2.4 Prevalence of Illegal Drug Use by Category of School
Students in public schools reported higher lifetime prevalence – 33.6% than private
schools 31.5% and other schools – 21.6%.
Students from private schools had the highest past year prevalence 22.5% and highest past
month prevalence - 16.7% when compared to public and other schools. Public schools past
year and past month prevalence were 20.4% and 13.6% respectively.
Other schools
reported 8.8% past year prevalence and 2.5% past month prevalence.
4.3 Discussions on Illegal Drug Use
Students perceived the risks associated with the frequent consumption of crack and
cocaine as very harmful – 76.1% whilst 65.6% indicated occasional consumption of cocaine
or crack was very harmful. 12.9% did not know how harmful frequent use and 12.2% did
not know how harmful occasional use was to their health.
The age of first use of cocaine was between 12 -17 years. The age with the highest
percentage of first time use of cocaine was the age of 17 years 9.9% followed by age 13
years - 9.0%. Overall the average age of first use was 13.9 years old and the median age
was 14 years old.
26 | P a g e
Overall, age 15 was reported as the age that most students (14.8%) had their first usage of
any illicit drug. Students between the ages of 13 to 15 (39.9%) had experienced their first
usage of any type of illicit drugs.
4.4 Prevalence and Patterns of Tranquilizers and Stimulants
4.4.1 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use among Secondary School
Students
Lifetime prevalence of tranquilizers was 4.6% and 3.2% for stimulants. The past year
prevalence for tranquilizers was 2.6% and 1.5% for stimulants. Past month prevalence of
tranquilizers was 1.5% and 1.0% for stimulants.
4.4.2 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use by Age Group among
Secondary School Students
Lifetime prevalence of tranquilizers and stimulants use was highest, at 6.6%, for students
17 and over, 4.0% for students between the ages of 15 -16, and 3.2% for students between
the ages of 11 to 14 years. Past year prevalence was 4.1%, the highest for students age 17
and over; 2.1% for age 15 -16 years, and 1.6% for ages 11 -14 years. As it relates to past
month prevalence, there were slight variations for the various age groups as age 17 and
over was 1.6%, age 15 -16 years was 1.5% and finally, age 11 -14 years was 1.4%.
27 | P a g e
4.4.3 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use by Gender among
Secondary School Students
Females reported the highest lifetime prevalence: 5.7%; past year prevalence: 3.1% and
past month prevalence 2.0% when compared to males who reported lifetime prevalence of
3.6%, past year prevalence 2.1% and 0.9% past month prevalence. These statistics indicate
that females are more likely to use tranquilizers and stimulants than their male
counterparts.
4.4.4 Prevalence of Tranquilizers and Stimulants Use by Category of School
Students in public school reported the highest lifetime, past year and past month
prevalence for tranquilizers at 8.5%; 3.5% and 2.5% respectively. For stimulants, public
school students had the highest lifetime prevalence at 4.8% but reported no past month
prevalence and a past year prevalence of only 1.1% the lowest when compared to private
schools and other institutions.
Private schools reported 4.4% lifetime prevalence of tranquilizers, 2.4% past year
prevalence and 1.5% past month prevalence. Students who specified they were from
28 | P a g e
“other” institutions had lifetime prevalence of tranquilizers of 5.0% (second highest by
institutions) and 1.8% for both past year and past month prevalence of tranquilizers.
Prevalence of stimulants for private institutions included: lifetime prevalence of 3.1%, past
year prevalence -1.4% and past month prevalence 0.5%. For “other” institutions, the
lifetime prevalence was 3.2% and 2.7% for both past year and past month prevalence of
stimulants.
29 | P a g e
Chapter 5 The Non-Medical Use of Pharmaceutical Drugs and
Prescription Drugs
5.1 Prevalence and Patterns of Use
Lifetime prevalence of tranquilizers stood at 4.7%. For stimulants, lifetime prevalence was
3.2%. Students’ pattern of use seemed to lean towards tranquilizers as students were more
likely to use tranquilizers than stimulants.
5.2 Discussion on the Non-Medical Use of Pharmaceutical Drugs and
Prescription Drugs
12.2% of students reported that age 15 years was the age of first usage of stimulants
without medical prescription. This is followed closely by 10.7% who agreed that age 16
was the first usage of stimulants without medical prescription.
In general, students
between the ages of 11 and 12 years had used stimulants without medical prescription.
Students between the ages of 12 -15 years reported their first usage of tranquilizers
without medical prescription.
Age 15 years reported the highest first time usage of
tranquilizers without medical prescription - 11.0%, age 12 years 8.0%, age 14 years 8.4%
and age 13 – 6.9%.
Lifetime, past month and past year prevalence of tranquilizers was higher for females than
for males, however; these prevalence rates were not as high when compared to other
substances prevalence rates. Female lifetime prevalence rate for tranquilizers was 5.7%
and males was 3.6%; past month prevalence 2.0% and for males 0.9% and past year
prevalence 3.1% and 2.1% for males.
Male lifetime prevalence rate of stimulants was higher when compared to females at 0.3%,
but notably, lowest when compared to females for their reported past month. However,
past year prevalence of stimulants was higher than that of females. Lifetime prevalence of
stimulants for males was 3.3% and females 3.0%; past year for males was lower than that
of females where 1.7% was female prevalence and 1.2% male prevalence; past month
prevalence for males 0.8% and 1.1% for females.
30 | P a g e
Chapter 6 Perception of Risk Associated with Drug Consumption and
Availability of Drugs
6.1 Perception of Risk Associated with Drug Consumption and Availability of
Drugs
50% of students reported that drugs were at school; of this percentage 51.9% were males
and 49.1% females. The remaining 50%: 17.8% reported that they were not aware if drugs
were at school and 32.2% reported that there were no drugs at school.
32.2% of students reported that students brought drugs to school. More females than
males, about 6 out of every 10 (64.4%) females, reported that they were aware of other
students bringing drugs to school. 64.4% of students reported the availability of drugs next
to school. Of the total sample, 64.4% of students (60.6% male; 63.1% female) reported that
they have seen other students try/deal drugs outside school. Similarly, 35.6% of the
students have seen a student using drugs around school.
6.2 Treatment for Drug Use
Belize’s current state of the adolescent treatment is virtually non-existent, despite being an
overwhelmingly youthful population, youth targeted substance misuse or mental health
treatment is largely unavailable.
Discussion
The results of the 2013 Secondary School Drug Prevalence Survey continues to
demonstrate that substance misuse continues to be a dominant problem that affects young
adults and adolescents in Belize. This study focused on secondary school students and the
sample represents students between the ages of 11 – 17 years.
Cigarettes and alcohol continue to be the most popular substances that are misused by
secondary school students. Both substances are in fact, legal substances within the country
of Belize. Students are fully aware and knowledgeable of the very harmful nature of
marijuana, crack and cocaine but perceive over the counter drugs and prescription drugs
such as solvents, tranquilizers, stimulants and inhalants as less harmful. This troubling
31 | P a g e
ignorance signals lack of preparedness of a population of young adolescents who may be
inadequately equipped with knowledge and unprepared to face the challenges of newly
introduced drugs.
Females had the highest lifetime, past year and past month prevalence of tranquilizers and
stimulants. 10th graders reported the highest lifetime, past year and past month prevalence
use of any illegal drugs when compared to 8th and 12th graders.
There is still a great deal of ignorance amongst students about the adverse consequences of
alcohol and substance misuse. There is a great level of awareness of the harm that misuse
of alcohol and drugs can cause but ignorance of the consequences such as poor
performance, susceptibility to contracting HIV/AIDS and other STDs, mental disorders,
behavioural changes etc.
Recommendations
For the country of Belize, treatment data for substance misuse is not readily available or
collected in a timely fashion. This survey can serve as a tool to allow for informed decisions
for policy changes and recommendations. It can also serve to provide important
information for prevention and treatment programs.
The development and implementation of preventative messages will become very
important. Educational and preventive campaigns and programs need to be distinct,
culturally appropriate, current, and most importantly, based on scientific information.
Considering that the secondary school population is at risk for drug misuse, these messages
must be designed and delivered to reach this population.
Policy Recommendations

The current alcohol policy must be revisited.

Ensure that laws that cover underage drinking, the sale of tobacco and other
legislation that addresses pharmaceuticals are enforced.

Develop a National Substance Misuse Policy for Alcohol, Tobacco and other
drugs (ATOD) that will consider all drugs in one single policy/document. This
policy must focus on prevention; harm minimization utilizing a multi-sectoral
32 | P a g e
approach, bringing together health, justice, social development and education to
combat substance misuse in Belize.

The NDACC may need to secure representation on all city and town councils
liquor licensing board, with the authority to decline liquor licenses in certain
sectors of our society. With members of the NDACC on those boards, they can
help in reducing the ease of access to alcohol, especially to the youths of Belize.
There is a need to strengthen and ratify the existing laws that pertain to liquor
licensing and consumption.

Members of the NDACC need to secure representation on the pharmaceutical
board of Belize with the increase of usage of over the counter drugs to get high
by youths of Belize.
Program Recommendations

The preventative drug education provided to secondary school students must be
strengthened particularly where information is lacking for prescription and
over-the-counter drugs. The drug education program must be inclusive of all
types of drugs.
It should consider a wide range of approaches, including
abstinence-oriented
strategies
and
initiatives
for
secondary
school
students/youths that use drugs.

Continuing education of peer educators/substance misuse counsellors must take
priority. Peer Educators/ Substance and Alcohol Educators must remain current
in the field. The substance misuse field is fluid. Things change rapidly, so,
annually educators and counsellors must obtain continuing education to
continue to provide current information to the clients.

The preventive drug education must promote strategies to support the harm
minimization inclusive of supply control, reduction of illicit drugs and
understanding the problems.
33 | P a g e

The National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) of Belize who coordinates the
country’s demand reduction efforts based on the findings of this survey need to
increase its efforts in the education of alcohol and marijuana. The focus may
now need to be on prevention of adolescent drug misuse through life skills,
knowledge and attitudes (Life Skills- based education/approach to adolescent
drug misuse).
Research Recommendations

Based on the gradual increase in the prevalence of substance misuse (NDAAC
2003; NDAAC 2011; NDAAC 2012; OAS 2011), it will become necessary that
studies be conducted to identify the correlation between adolescents and
accidents, suicide, depression, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Chronic Liver Disease,
Hypertension, teen pregnancy, death by overdose, self-hatred, social deviations,
social and economic marginalization, crime and violence.

Provide support and publicity of scientific research conducted in the country of
Belize.

Conduct survey, following CICAD’s guidelines of every two years to allow trend
assessments to be made.
Conclusions
Drug education programs must continue and must be specifically targeted at the promotion
and implementation of strategies that prevent or reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug
misuse and related problems, as well as harm reduction. There must be a comprehensive
drug education program offering for youths to develop skills, behaviours and attitudes that
reduce their risk of involvement with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The drug education
program must maintain a focus to educate the young adolescent on the impact of substance
misuse on brain and behavioural changes, as well as impact on academic performance.
34 | P a g e
References
Ministry of Health. 2005. Belize study: Gender alcohol and culture GENACIS 2005 Final
Report Belmopan: Ministry of Health.
National Drug Abuse Control Council, Organization of American States and The Inter-American
Drug Control Commission. 2003. Belize Secondary School Drug Prevalence Survey
Belmopan: Print Belize Limited.
National Drug Abuse and Control Council 2012 Annual Report.
National Drug Abuse and Control Council 2011 Annual Report.
National Drug Abuse Control Council of Belize and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control
Commission (CICAD) (2009), National Household Survey Report 2005.
Report on Drug Use in the Americas. (2011). Organization of American States. Secretariat
for Multidimensional Security. Inter-American Observatory on Drugs. Washington,
D.C.
Statistical Institute of Belize. 2012. Main results of 2010 population and housing census.
Belmopan City: Statistical Institute of Belize.
35 | P a g e
Appendix I
Prevalence DATA - Belize
Drug
LT
Cigarettes
Drug
32.7
LT
Alcoholic drinks
Drug
Drug
Drug
Drug
Opium
36 | P a g e
3.2
PM
15.9
10.7
PY
PM
PY
PM
0.7
LT
3
LT
Heroin
Drug
PM
PY
LT
1
5.5
24.3
Cocaine
Drug
PM
PY
LT
1.5
1.6
10.1
Coca Paste
PM
PY
LT
33.1
2.7
3.2
Marijuana
PM
PY
LT
8.2
48.4
4.7
Solvents and inhalants
Drug
PY
LT
Stimulants
PM
14.4
66
Tranquilizers
Drug
PY
1.6
0.8
PY
PM
PY
PM
1.1
LT
0.4
Drug
LT
Morphine
Drug
LT
LT
PY
Illegal drug
37 | P a g e
Mean
LT
PM
0.7
PY
Mean
0.6
PM
1.8
Mean
2.4
LT
2.4
PY
PM
Mean
6.2
LT
6.3
PY
Sprangah
Drug
PM
1.4
1.7
Other drugs
Drug
Mean
0.6
PY
LT
Ecstasy
Drug
PM
1.4
Crack
Drug
PY
0.6
Hashish
Drug
PM
0.7
Hallucinogens
Drug
PY
PM
1.6
LT
33.1
PY
Mean
1.1
PM
20
Mean
13.2
32.8
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
Appendix II
Good morning – Good afternoon
We are conducting a study of students in various countries on issues involving public
health. It is aimed at obtaining information to orient, as best as possible, a series of
actions geared to solving public health problems in these countries. To this end, your
cooperation in this survey shall be very useful. Your answers are absolutely
confidential, that is, no one other than the research team will have access to them. In
addition, there is no way that anyone can identify you with your answers, as you must not
write down any of your personal information anywhere. That is why we are asking you to
answer honestly and sincerely.
1. COUNTRY
2. CITY
4. Type of school
1.Public
2.Private
3.Other
(Specify:…………………………)
6. Grade or form the student is
attending:
3. QUESTIONNAIRE
NUMBER
5. Type of students at school
1.Only males
2.Only females
3.Both males and females (coed)
6A Control Number:
School
Class
1.Eighth grade or 2nd Form
2.Tenth grade or 4th Form
3. Eleventh grade or 5th Form
4.Twelfth grade or 6th Form
ST.1. THE STUDENT BEGINS TO FILL OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE HERE
7. Gender
1. Male
2. Female
8. Age (at last birthday)
Age (at last
birthday)
1|P age
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
9. What is your parents’/guardians’
10. With whom do you live? (you may
marital status? (in relation to each other) tick as many options as necessary)
1. Single
2. Married
3. Divorced
4. Separated
5. Widow(er)
6. Living together/common law
7. Other
1. Father
2. Mother
3. Brother and/or Sister
4. Stepmother
5. Stepfather
6. Wife/Husband
7. Girlfriend/Boyfriend
8. Guardian(s)
9. Other relative
10. Friend
11. Alone
12. Other
ST.2. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
11. After school hours or on weekends, 12. As a rule, do any of your
how often does your mother or parents/guardian(s) focus on or know the
father or guardian know where you programs you watch on television?
are? Let’s say for one or more hours.
1. They never or almost never
know where I am
2. Sometimes they do not know
3. They always or almost always
know where I am
1.Yes
2.No
2|P age
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
13.
How
closely
do
your
parents/guardian(s) (or one of them)
pay attention to what you are doing
in school?
1. Very closely
2. Closely
3. Somewhat
4. Not at all
15.
On
weekends,
do
your
parents/guardian(s) (or one of them)
control what time you come home at
night?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Rarely
4. Never
17. As a rule, how well do you think
your parents/guardian(s) (or one of
them) know your closest friends?
14. In a normal week, how many days do you
sit down together, you and your parents/
guardian(s) (or one of them), at the same table,
whether for breakfast, lunch, supper or dinner?
(Check just one option)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Never
One single day
Two days
Three days
Four days
Five days
Six days
Every day
16. When you go out in the afternoon or on
weekends, do your parents/guardian(s) (or
one of them) ask you and/or expect you to
tell them where you are going?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Yes
No
Rarely
Never
1. Very well
2. More or less
3. Slightly
4. Not at all
How do I think
my father,
mother or
guardian would
react in the
following
situations?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Extremely Very Somewhat Not
upset
upset
upset
upset
5. I have
no idea
how they
would
react
6. Not applicable,
I have no living
father/mother/guar
dian or I have
never seen them
3|P age
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
18. If your
father/guardian
catches you
coming home
tipsy or drunk.
19. If your
mother/guardian
catches you
coming home
tipsy or drunk.
20. If your
father/guardian
finds out you are
smoking
marijuana
21. If your
mother/guardian
finds out you are
smoking
marijuana
FOCUSING ON
YOUR
RELATIONSHIP
WITH YOUR
PARENTS/
GUARDIAN(S)
22. How would you
describe the
relationship you
currently have with
your
father/guardian?
23. How would you
describe the
relationship you
currently have with
your
mother/guardian?
24. How would you
describe the
relationship your
Parents/
guardian(s) have
1. Very
good
2. Good
3. Bad
4. Very
Bad
Not applicable,
I have no living
father/mother/guardia
n, I have no
relationship with
them
4|P age
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
with each other?
Describe it even if
they do not live
together.
25. Have you had any serious
conversations with any of your
parents/guardian(s) about the dangers of
drug use?
26. Focusing now on your parents/
guardian(s), do you believe that any one
of them used any illegal drug when they
were young?
1. YES
2. NO
27. Do any one of your
parents/guardian(s) regularly smoke at
least one cigarette per day?
1.YES
2.NO
28. As far as you know, do any of your
brothers or sisters or anybody else living
at home with you currently use any
drug?
1.YES, my father/guardian
2.YES, my mother/guardian
3.YES, both
4.NO, neither of them
1.YES
2.NO
29 and 30. How would you describe your father’s and mother’s or guardian’s drinking
habits regarding alcohol? (e.g. wine, beer, magnum, Smirnoff ice, hard liquor)
Answer Q.29
Father/ Guardian
Answer Q.30
Mother/ Guardian
1. Never drinks any alcohol
2. Only on special occasions
3. Only on weekends, but never during
the week
4. Sometimes during the week
5. Drinks alcohol every day
6. Not applicable, I have no living
father/mother/ guardian, or I never see
them
5|P age
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
31. How happy do you feel when you go 32. Speaking generally, would you say
to school?
that you feel a sense of belonging at
school?
1.Very happy
1.YES
2. Fairly happy
2.NO
3. Neither happy/nor unhappy
4. Unhappy
5. Very unhappy
33. In the past year, how often did you 34. In the past year, how many full days
skip school without permission for a part were you absent from school? Choose
of the day or the entire day?
one of the following options.
1.Never
2.A few times
3.Several times
4.Often
1. Less than 5 days
2. Between 5 and 10 days
3. Between 11 and 20 days
4. Between 21 and 30 days
5. More than 30 days
35. How would you describe the
relationship you generally have with
your teachers at school?
1. Very good
2. Good
3. Average
4. Bad
5. Very bad
1.
YES
2. NO
3. I do
not know
36A. In general, do you believe that there are drugs
(alcohol, marijuana, beady, cigarettes, etc.) at your
school?
36B. In general, do you believe that there are students
who bring, try or deal with drugs at your school?
37A. Do you believe that there are drugs in the area
surrounding or next to your school?
37B. Do you believe that some students try to buy or
deal in drugs amongst themselves just outside the
school or in the surrounding area?
38. Have you personally ever seen a student selling or
giving drugs at school or in the area surrounding the
6|P age
INTER AMERICAN UNIFORM
DRUG USE DATA SYSTEM –
SIDUC/OAS/CICAD/OID
SURVEY BELIZE
school?
39. Have you personally ever seen a student using
drugs at school or in the area surrounding the school?
40. Do you have a job in addition to 42. How likely is it that you will complete
going to school?
high school/secondary school?
1. YES
2. NO (Go to # 42)
41. How many hours a week do you
work at your job?
Hours
1.Very likely
2. Likely
3. Not very likely
4. Impossible
5. Don’t know
43. How likely is that you will go to 44. How many grade levels or years have
University?
you had to repeat throughout your
school years?
1. Very likely
1. None
2. Likely
2. One
3. Not very likely
3. Two or more
4. Impossible
5. Don’t know
45. Have you ever had behavioural and 46A. If your close friends knew you were
disciplinary problems during your smoking marijuana/ganja, how many of
school years?
(e.g. detentions, them would try to convince you to stop?
suspensions,
being
sent
to
the
headmaster/mistress
or
corporal
1. All
punishment).
2. Some
3. None
1. Never
2. Once
46B. If your close friends knew you were
2. A few times
smoking marijuana/ganja, how many of
3. Often
them would disapprove?
1. All
2. Some
3. None
JUST FOCUSING ON
YOUR FRIENDS
NOW
1. None
2. One
3. Some
4. A lot
47. How many of your
friends drink alcohol
7|P age
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regularly? Let’s say
every weekend,
weekends after school
or even more often
48. How many of your
friends smoke
marijuana regularly?
Let’s say every
weekend, evenings after
school or even more
often
ST.3.RISK PERCEPTION AND CURIOSITY
49. In your opinion, how harmful are the following to your health?
MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN X IN THE CHECKBOX
1.
2.
3.
4.
Not
Slightly Moderately Very
harmful harmful
harmful harmful
1. Smoking cigarettes sometimes
2. Smoking cigarettes frequently
3. Drinking alcoholic beverages
frequently
4. Getting drunk
5. Taking tranquilizers/stimulants
without medical prescription
sometimes
6. Taking tranquilizers/stimulants
without medical prescription
frequently
7. Inhaling solvents sometimes
8. Inhaling solvents frequently
9. Smoking marijuana sometimes
10. Smoking marijuana frequently
11. Consuming cocaine or crack
sometimes
12. Consuming cocaine or crack
frequently
13. Consuming coca paste
sometimes
14. Consuming coca paste
frequently
15. Consuming ecstasy sometimes
16. Consuming ecstasy frequently
5.
Don’t
know
8|P age
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17. Inhaling second hand cigarette
smoke
18. Inhaling second hand
marijuana smoke
50A. Have you ever been curious about 51. If you had the opportunity, would
trying an illicit drug?
you try an illicit drug?
(example:
marijuana, cocaine, crack, (example: marijuana, cocaine, crack,
ecstasy, beady or similar)
ecstasy, beady or similar)
1. YES
2. NO
3. Not sure
1. YES
2. NO
3. Not sure
50B. Have you ever been curious to try
any of the following drugs?
1.
2. 3.
Yes No Maybe
1.
2.
3.
4.
Marijuana/Ganja
Cocaine
Crack
Ecstasy
ST.4. ACCESS TO ILLICIT DRUGS AND SUPPLY
52. How hard or easy would it be for you to get
1. It
2. It
any of the following drugs?
(Mark with an X the corresponding checkbox for would would
each drug)
be
be
easy
hard
for me for me
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
4. I do
3. I
not
would
know
not be
if it
able to would
get any be hard
or easy
Marijuana
Cocaine
Crack
Ecstasy
LSD
Heroin
9|P age
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53. When was the last time 1. Over the 2. More
than one
someone offered you any of these past 30
days
month ago,
drugs, whether to buy or try?
(Mark with an X the corresponding
but less
checkbox for each drug)
than one
year ago
1. Marijuana
2. Cocaine
3. Crack
4. Ecstasy
5. LSD
6. Heroin
54.
Think
back to the
last time you
were offered
one of the
following
drugs.
Where
did
that occur?
1. Marijuana
2. Cocaine
3. Crack
4. Ecstasy
5. LSD
6. Heroin
1. At
home
2. At
school
3. On
the
block
4. At a
friend’s
house
5. At
sportin
g
events
3. More
than one
year ago
6. At
other
social
event
s
4. I have
never been
offered
any
7.
Other
8. I
have
neve
r
been
offer
ed
1. A
2. A
3.
4.
5. I
55. Think back to the last
time you were offered any of relative/family friend Someone Somebody have
member
you
you do not never
the following drugs; Who
know
know
been
was the person offering it?
but who
offered
is not
your
friend
1. Marijuana
2. Cocaine
3. Crack
4. Ecstasy
5. LSD
6. Heroin
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ST.5. TOBACCO/CIGARETTES
56. Have you ever smoked cigarettes in 57. How old were you when you smoked
your lifetime?
cigarettes for the first time in your life?
1.YES
2.NO
Years old
(Go to #62)
58. When was the first time you smoked
cigarettes?
1. Never
2. Over the past 30 days
3. More than one month ago, but
less than one year ago
4. More than one year ago
60. Have you smoked cigarettes over the
past 30 days?
1.YES
2.NO
(Go to #62)
59. Have you smoked cigarettes over the
past 12 months?
1.YES
2.NO
(Go to #62)
61. About how many cigarettes a day
have you smoked over the past 30 days?
Number of cigarettes per day:
1. From 1 to 5
2. From 6 to 10
3. From 11 to 20
4. More than 20
ST.6. ALCOHOL
62. Have you ever drunk alcoholic
beverages in your lifetime? (Consider
wine, beer or hard liquor such as, rum,
vodka, Smirnoff ice etc. Do not include any
time when your parents/guardian(s) gave
you a sip of alcohol to taste)
63. How old were you when you drank
alcoholic beverages for the first time in
your life?
(Do not include any time when your
parents/ guardian(s) gave you a sip of
alcohol to taste)
1.YES
Years old
2.NO
(Go to #73)
64. When was the first time you drank 65. Have you drunk any alcoholic
alcoholic beverages?
beverages over the past 12 months?
1. Never
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2. Over the past 30 days
1.YES
3. More than one month ago, but
2.NO
(Go to #73)
less than one year ago
4. More than one year ago
66. Have you drunk alcoholic beverages 67. Where do you most often drink
over the past 30 days?
alcohol? (Tick only one (1) response)
1. At home
1.YES
2. At school
2.NO
3. On the block
4. At a friend’s house
5. At sporting events
6. At other social events
7. Other
68. From whom/where do you usually 69. How many days, over the past 30
get alcohol? Tick only one (1) response) days, have you taken too much to drink
and have gotten drunk?
1. Friends
2. Parents/Guardians
Number of
3. Brother/Sister
days
4. Other relatives
5. Street vendor
6. Shop
7. Other
70. Over the past 30 days, what type of alcoholic beverage did you drink and
how often?
(Mark with an X only that option that corresponds to each alcoholic beverage)
1. Daily 2. Several
3.
4. A few times
5. Never
days of the Weekends
during the
week
month
1. Beer
2. Wine (red label,
etc.)
3. Hard liquor
(rum, whisky,
vodka, brandy,
magnum, Smirnoff
ice, etc.)
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71. Over the past two weeks, how many
times have you consumed five (5) or
more alcoholic drinks in one (1) sitting?
72. Just focusing on the past month,
about how much money did you end up
spending on buying alcoholic beverages?
1. Not once
2. Only once
3. Between 2 and 3 times
4. Between 4 and 5 times
5. More than 5 times
ST.7. LIFETIME PREVALENCE AND AGE OF FIRST USE
73A. Have you ever consumed any of these substances?
INDICATE THE ANSWER FOR EACH DRUG WITH AN
(X). If you answer ‘YES’ to any drug, please indicate age of
first use of that drug in Question 74 in the column to the right.
NO YES
74. Age at first
use?
1. Tranquilizers without medical prescription
Years old
2. Stimulants without medical prescription
Years old
3. Inhalants (e.g. Glue, Diesel, Fuel, other
Solvents)
4. Marijuana
Years old
5. Coca paste
Years old
6. Cocaine
Years old
7. Heroin
Years old
8. Opium
Years old
9. Morphine
Years old
10. Hallucinogens
Years old
11. Hashish
Years old
12. Crack
Years old
13. Ecstasy
Years old
Years old
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14. Other drugs:
………………………………….
Years old
ST.8. PREVALENCE YEAR, MONTH, INCIDENCE, FREQUENCY OF USE
INHALANTS
75a. When was the first time you tried 75b. Have you used inhalants at least
inhalants (e.g. Glue, Diesel, Fuel, and other once over the past 12 months?
Solvents)?
1.YES
1.I have never used inhalants (Go to
2.NO (Go to #75e)
#76a)
2. Over the past 30 days
3. More than one month ago, but less
than one year ago
4. More than one year ago
75c. How often have you used inhalants?
1. Just once
2. Several times over the past 12
months
3. Several times a month
4. Several times a week
5. Every day
75e. Have you ever sniffed inhalants such
as glue, whiteout, paint, thinner, etc. in
order to get high?
75d. Have you used inhalants at least
once over the past 30 days?
1.YES
2.NO
1. Yes
2. No
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MARIJUANA
76a. When was the first time you ever 76b. Have you smoked marijuana at
smoked smoking marijuana?
least once over the past 12 months?
1.I have never smoked marijuana (Go
to # 77a)
2. Over the past 30 days
3.More than one month ago, but less
than one year ago
4.More than one year ago
76c.How often
marijuana?
have
you
1.YES
2.NO(Go to #77a)
smoked 76d. Have you smoked marijuana once
over the past 30 days?
1. Just once
2. Several times over the past 12
months
3. Several times a month
4. Several times a week
5. Every day
1.YES
2. NO
76e. Where do you most often use
marijuana?
1. At home
3. At school
5. On the block
(Go to #77a)
76f. From whom/where do you usually
get marijuana?
2. At a friend’s
house
4. At sporting
events
6. At other social
events
1. Friends
3. Parents
5.
Brother/Sister
2. Other
relative(s)
4. Street
pusher
6. Other
……………..
7. Other
…………….
76g. Just focusing on the past month,
about how much money did you end up
spending on buying marijuana?
76h. Over the PAST 12 MONTHS,
how often has any of the following
described below happened to you?
1.
Never
2.
Rarely
3.
From
time to
time
4.
Fairly
often
5.
Very
often
a) Have you ever smoked marijuana
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before noon?
b) Have you ever smoked marijuana
when you were alone?
c) Have you ever had memory problems
when you smoked marijuana?
d) Have friends or members of your
family ever told you that you should
reduce or stop your marijuana use?
e) Have you ever tried to reduce or stop
your marijuana use without succeeding?
f) Have you ever had problems because
of your use of marijuana (argument,
fight, accident, bad result at school,
etc.)?
COCAINE
77a. When was the first time you ever tried 77b. Have you used cocaine at
cocaine?
least once over the past 12
months?
1. I have never used cocaine (Go to #78a)
1.YES
2. Over the past 30 days
2. NO (Go to #78a)
3.More than one month ago, but less than
one year ago
4.More than one year ago
77c. How often have you used cocaine?
77d. Have you used cocaine once
over the past 30 days?
1. Just once
1.YES
2. Several times over the past 12 months
2. NO (Go to #78a)
3. Several times a month
4. Several times a week
5. Every day
77e. From whom/where do you usually get 77f. Just focusing on the past month,
cocaine?
about how much money did you end up
spending on buying cocaine?
Mark with an X all those checkboxes that
correspond
1. Friends
2. Parents
3. Brother/Sister
4. Other relative(s)
5. Street pusher
6. Other
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CRACK
78a. When was the first time you ever tried 78b. Have you used crack at least
crack?
once over the past 12 months?
1. I have never used crack (Go to #79a)
2. Over the past 30 days
3. More than one month ago, but less than
one year ago
4. More than one year ago
78c. How often have you used crack?
1.YES
2. NO(Go to #79a)
78d. Have you used crack at least
once over the past 30 days?
1. Just once
1.YES
2. Several times over the past 12 months
2.NO (Go to #79a)
3. Several times a month
4. Several times a week
5. Every day
78e. From whom/where do you usually get 78f. Just focusing now on the past
crack?
month, about how much money did you
Mark with an X all those checkboxes that end up spending on buying crack?
correspond
1. Friends
2. Parents
3. Brother/Sister
4. Other relative(s)
5. Street pusher
6. Other
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ECSTASY
79a. When was the first time you ever tried 79b. Which of the following
Ecstasy?
substances do you recognize as a
synthetic drug?
Mark with an X all the
1. I have never used Ecstasy
corresponding checkboxes
2. Over the past 30 days
3.More than one month ago, but less than
1. Ecstasy
one year ago
2. Amphetamines or their
4.More than one year ago
derivatives
3. LSD
4. PCP
5. Methamphetamines
6. GHB
80a. When was the first time you ever tried 80b. Have you used Primo once
Primo?
over the past 12 months?
1. I have never used Primo (Go to #81a)
2. Over the past 30 days
3.More than one month ago, but less than
one year ago
4.More than one year ago
80c. How often have you used Primo?
1. Just once
2. Several times over the past 12 months
3. Several times a month
4. Several times a week
5. Every day
1.YES
2.NO (Go to #81a)
80d. Have you used Primo once
over the past 30 days?
1.YES
2.NO
81a. When was the first time you ever tried tranquilizers without medical
prescription?
Consider drugs such as Alprazolam, Diazepam (Valium), Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol),
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) or similar.
1.I have never used prescription drugs without prescription (Go to #82a)
2. Over the past 30 days
3.More than one month ago, but less than one year ago
4.More than one year ago
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81b. Have you used tranquilizers at least 81c. Have you used tranquilizers
once without medical prescription once without medical prescription once over
over the past 12 months?
the past 30 days?
1.YES
1.YES
2.NO (Go to #81e)
2.NO (Go to #81e)
81d. Over the past 30 days, how many 81e. How did you have access to the
days did you use tranquilizers without tranquilizers that you consumed?
medical prescription?
(insert no. of days)
1. From a medical doctor or other
licensed medical practitioner
Number of
2. In the street
days
3. At home
4. From a friend
5. At the pharmacy
6. Other
82a. When was the first time you ever tried stimulants without a medical
prescription?
Consider drugs such as Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Phenmetrazine (Preludin or
Adepsin), Amphetamines (Adderall), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, DextroStat),
Pemoline (Cylert) or similar
1.I have never used over-the-counter stimulants (Go to #83)
2. Over the past 30 days
3.More than one month ago, but less than one year ago
4.More than one year ago
82b. Have you used stimulants once over 82c. Have you used over-the-counter
the past 12 months?
stimulants once over the past 30 days?
1.YES
2.NO (Go to #82e )
1.YES
2.NO (Go to #82e)
82d. Over the past 30 days, how many 82e. How did you get the stimulants you
days did you use stimulants without a used?
medical prescription ?
1. From a medical doctor or other
licensed medical practitioner
Number of
days
2. In the street
3. At home
4. From a friend
5. At the drugstore
6. Other
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ST.9. USE-RELATED RISKS
1.
2.
3.
83. Over the PAST 12 MONTHS,
how often have you experienced or Never Rarely Sometimes
/Seldom
been in the following situations
because of drinking alcohol or using
illicit drugs?
a) Getting a low grade on an
important test/ exam or school project
b) Getting into some kind of trouble
with the police
c) Getting into any angry argument or
fight
d) Memory loss
e) Problems with your
family/relatives/ households
f) Having someone taking sexual
advantage of you.
g) Taking sexual advantage of
someone.
h) Trying without success to stop
drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs
i) Self-harm (such as self-cutting,
burning, hitting, etc.)
j) Seriously thinking about
committing suicide
4.
Often
5.
Almost
always
ST.10. ACCURACY OF YOUR STATEMENT
84. If you tried marijuana once in your 85. If you tried crack once in your
lifetime, would you say so in this lifetime, would you say so in this
questionnaire?
questionnaire?
1. Yes, I have just said so
2. Definitely yes
3. Probably yes
4. Probably no
5. I would definitely not say so
1. Yes, I have just said so
2. Definitely yes
3. Probably yes
4. Probably no
5. I would definitely not say so
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