The use of alcohol and other drugs among medical students has been a theme of growing interest and concern on the part of researchers, teaching institutions and medical associations since the decade of the 1960's. Objective: Recent use of alcohol, tobacco, tranquillisers, amphetamines, cannabis, organic solvents, and cocaine among 456 medical students was surveyed.

Assessment was done by means of a self-report questionnaire according to World Health Organisation guidelines.

Among medical students, after alcohol and tobacco, cannabis and solvents are the most frequently used psychoactive substances. As such, they were the most deeply analysed drugs in this study. Factors associated with the recent use of cannabis and solvents were established by logistic regression. Living with parents or a companion appeared as a protective factor for the use of cannabis. However, being male and regularly participating in the activities at the campus Sports Association showed as risk factors for the use of both cannabis and solvents.

Concepts and misconceptions concerning protective and risk factors must be discussed in the light of cultural and circumstantial interferences. Harm reduction strategies should be seriously considered.