To distinguish socio-cultural predictors of cannabinoid dependence of child population in Siberia.

Clinical verification of dependence, due to cannabinoid use in the age group “0–14 years” across 22 administrative territories of Siberia and the far east. Review, of statistical materials of regional narcological institutions.

Cannabinoid dependency in children has been revealed in 8 of 22 territories–intensive indices per 10,000 of the population of the matched age were in two territories–0.2, one territory–0.4, in two–0.7, and in three–2.1, 3.2, 14.0, respectively. In the related territories, the specific weight of cannabinoid dependence in total structure of substance dependence for population as a whole (children, adolescents, and adults) was as follows: 0.7%, 0.8%, 2.7%, 3.5%, 27.2%, 67.6% and 76.9%. Therefore, for those territories where ill children are under observation their number per 10,000 of the population is closely associated with structural size of addictions: high level of cannabinoid dependence, formed in the territory, is interrelated with greater number of children, dependent on cannabinoids in this territory. With account for made corrections it should be recognized that “saturation level” of the territories, in particular, with cannabinoids results in higher indices of substance dependence among child population.

It should be considered that calculation of intensive indices is conducted for the age group “0–14 years” while diagnosed age range includes children aged 9–14 years, therefore, real indices of dependence, with account for this hypothetical correction, are three times higher as a minimum.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.