BACKGROUND. In Italy, even though olanzapine has been discouraged for treatment of behaviour disorders in older patients affected by dementia, some physicians chose to prescribe for them. In response to this situation, the Italian Drug Agency (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco, AIFA) promulgated a cautionary note. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study examined epidemiological indices for olanzapine prescriptions between 2004 and 2007 in the Marche Region of central Italy and in its provinces, to assess physician compliance with the AIFA note, and to determine whether there were differences in drug prescription between populations of the same territory, or differences based on gender or age group. RESULTS. Our analyses revealed high olanzapine use among young men and mature women, suggesting that these groups are most prone to psychotic symptoms. Analysis revealed that olanzapine prescription in elderly patients was reduced in some provinces, in line with the AIFA note. CONCLUSIONS. Prudent use of olanzapine prescription, in compliance with the AIFA note, was noted throughout the Region. Furthermore, this work offers details that may be useful in future studies of adverse drug reactions.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o uso de drogas que causam dependência entre os estudantes da Universidade de Camerino, Italia, e verificar os aspectos relacionados ao uso de substâncias psicoativas nesta população. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de um questionário anônimo composto por 345 participantes selecionados aleatoriamente entre os alunos da universidade. O questionário tem sido utilizado, para esse tipo de estudo na República Tcheca, desde 2002. O teste qui-quadrado foi utilizado para a avaliação estatística dos fatores, conforme o uso da substância. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos alunos entrevistados teve alguma experiência com substâncias legais que causam dependência: 28,0% dos participantes fumam cigarros regularmente e 23,2% dos entrevistados admitiram consumo regular de álcool. Além disso, 50,4% dos indivíduos já experimentaram uma droga ilícita; a substância mais experimentada foi cannabis (46,7%), seguida da cocaína (13,3%). Dos estudantes que experimentaram drogas, 19% admitiram o uso da substância no último mês (cannabis 87,5%). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados confirmam o aumento experimental do uso de drogas cannabis entre os jovens na Europa e revelam um longo tempo de uso de drogas, principalmente de cocaína, entre os estudantes universitários.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to assess the prevalence of addictive drug use among students of University of Camerino (Italy) and to verify aspects related to substance use in this population. METHODS: The survey was carried out in the form of anonymous questionnaires completed by 345 participants. Chi-square test was used for statistic evaluation. RESULTS: Most students have experienced legal addictive substances: 28.0 % of participants smoke cigarettes regularly and 23.2 % of respondents have admitted regular alcohol consumption. In addition, 50.4 % of subjects have already tried an illegal drug; the most used substance was cannabis (46.7 %), followed by cocaine (13.3 %). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed the increased experimental use of cannabis among young people in Europe and showed a long-term use of drugs, particularly cocaine, among university students.