Epidemiology of adolescent Salvia divinorum use in Canada.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.08.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42,179 |
| Population | Canadian adolescents aged 12-17 living across all 10 provinces |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Salvia divinorum use Hallucinogen use Lifetime use Past year use Youth substance use Canadian adolescents Adolescent drug use Teenage substance use Canadian youth Prevalence Statistics National survey Incidence Epidemiology Risk factors Correlates Predictors Older males Spending money Binge drinking Low self-esteem Associated factors |
| Citations | 19 |
| Key findings | 6.2% of Canadian adolescents had used Salvia divinorum in their lifetime and 3.8% in the past year, with higher use among older males, those with more spending money, and those engaging in binge drinking or other drug use. |
Abstract
Salvia divinorum is a potent, naturally occurring hallucinogen gaining popularity as a recreational drug in North America. To date, detailed epidemiologic information about the use of this substance among adolescents living outside the United States has been limited. This study provides information on the prevalence and correlates of Salvia divinorum use among adolesecents in Canada using a nationally representative sample. Data were obtained from a representative sample of 42,179 Canadian adolescents aged 12-17 years living across all 10 provinces who completed the Youth Smoking Survey in 2008-09. Overall, 3.8% of adolescents reported using Salvia in the past year and 6.2% had used the substance in their lifetime. A conservative estimate suggests 23.2% of youth were repeat users. Salvia use was highest among youth in British Columbia and Quebec. Comparatively, the prevalence of 12-month Salvia use was higher than 12-month cocaine and amphetamine use but lower than 12-month ecstasy, cannabis, and other hallucinogen use. Correlates of Salvia use included older age, male gender, high available spending money, binge drinking, illicit drug use and smoking in fully adjusted models. Findings suggest low self-esteem may be an important correlate specific to the use of this substance among youth. Salvia divinorum use is prevalent among Canadian adolescents. Salvia may be a significant public health issue in Canada given it is readily available, under limited regulation, and little is known about the abuse liability of the substance, interactions with other substances, and potential complications from use.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on salvia divinorum, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Recreational users of salvia and other psychedelics | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 32 |
| College student use of Salvia divinorum. College students at a large public university in the southwestern U.S. | 2008 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 1,516 |
| Use patterns and self-reported effects of Salvia divinorum: an internet-based survey. Individuals who had used Salvia divinorum and visited related pages of a... | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 500 |
| Salvia Divinorum Use among a College Student Sample Students at a large public university | 2008 | Survey | |
| Recent national trends in Salvia divinorum use and substance-use disorders among recent and former Salvia divinorum users compared with nonusers. Noninstitutionalized US residents aged 12 or older | 2011 | Cross-sectional survey analysis | n = 166,453 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Salvinorin A and Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Forensic Aspects Pharmaceuticals February 3, 2021
- Salvia divinorum: from Mazatec medicinal and hallucinogenic plant to emerging recreational drug. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental September 1, 2013
- DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Salvinorin A. ACS Chemical Neuroscience December 2, 2020
- An approach to the new psychoactive drugs phenomenon Salud Mental April 3, 2017
- Analytical investigation of legal high products containing Salvia divinorum traded in smartshops and internet. Forensic Science International September 1, 2014
and 5 more in the library
Cites 13
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- Opioid receptors and legal highs:Salvia divinorumand Kratom Clinical Toxicology 2008
- Pattern of use and subjective effects of Salvia divinorum among recreational users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 8, 2006
- Neuropharmacology of the naturally occurring kappa-opioid hallucinogen salvinorin A. Pharmacological Reviews June 1, 2011
- Adolescent salvia substance abuse. Addiction May 1, 2007
and 8 more in the library