Abstract

Introduction:   Drug consumption during the pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of the global population, especially among young people.

Objective:   The aim is to describe the prevalence of drug use before the pandemic, the frequency of use, and the places and circumstances associated with drug use among students majoring in Physical Education from various public universities in the Colombian Caribbean region during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methodology:   A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with students majoring in Physical Education from different universities in the Colombian Caribbean region in 2021. The sample consisted of 678 students. The Social Perception and Cultural Imaginaries of Drugs in University Population” (SIDEC) questionnaire was used to collect data.

Results:   Before the pandemic, the availability of legal and illegal drugs was observed in university environments. During the pandemic, there was an increase in the consumption of alcohol and marijuana, and students opted for extracurricular activities such as inactive leisure, the use of technology, and physical activity, which were the preferred activities.

Conclusions:   The findings highlight the need to implement campaigns for the prevention and promotion of mental health, especially in view of situations that pose a risk to the mental health of students.

Keywords:
psychoactive substances in a pandemic; drug abuse; motivations for consumption in a pandemic; university students