COVID-19 팬데믹으로 인한 청소년 약물사용 변화

Changes in Adolescent Drug Use Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: To examine changes in adolescent drug use before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic and identify key risk factors. Methods: Using 2018-2023 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, 331,857 responses were analyzed with complex sample weight- ing. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess drug use risk across three periods (pre-, during, and post-pan- demic) after adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and mental health factors. Results: Drug use decreased during COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.83, p<0.001), but rebounded post-pandemic (OR: 1.61, p<0.001). Key risk factors included living in residential care (OR: 3.16-8.22), experiencing physical violence (OR: 4.19-6.47), depression (OR: 1.49-1.80), and suicidal ideation (OR: 1.79-2.36). After the COVID-19 pandemic, additional risk factors emerged, including female adolescents (OR: 1.21), excessive smartphone use (OR: 1.31), and e-cigarette use (OR: 1.42-1.44). Conclusion: Findings of this study highlight the impact of social changes such as the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent drug use and emphasize the need for targeted interventions, including digital platform monitoring and stricter e-cigarette regulations. Continuous surveillance and tailored prevention strategies are essential to mitigate substance use risks of youth in evolving social environments.