image Substance abuseTuscany Regional Health Agency’s survey on the risk factors associated with road accidents among young people in Tuscany (EDIT) suggested that in 2011 over 36% of the student population experienced illegal drugs (with an increase of 3.2% compared to 2005).
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug (31%), followed by cocaine (5.3%), psychopharmacological drugs for nonmedical use (5.1 %) and volatile inhalants or poppers (4.1%)

Drug consumption took place in the last month for about 25% of the sample: it was therefore estimated that more than 45,500 adolescents in Tuscany consumed substances in that interval of time, and about 21,300 used cannabis more than once a week.
Males (29.2%) used substances more than females (20.3%): 5.4% of the 14-year-olds but 28.8% of all nineteen-year-old youngsters. 56% of the sample began at 15 or younger.

Polydrug use (when two or more substances are used at the same time or on the same occasion) occured in 3.9% of the sample: 59% of them admitted they drove drunk and over two-thirds had a car accident afterwards.

TRHA also monitors people who access the 41 Drug Services in Tuscany: 14,416 in 2011 (82.5% were males). Heroin was the most commonly used illecit drug (intravenously injected in 66.6 %), followed by cocaine and cannabis (14.1% and 9.7 % respectively).
TRHA analyzes the data of the Regional mortality registry (RMR) as well: in 1988-2008 897 people died from drug overdose in Tuscany.