[University students' perception regarding drug use among peers in the ABC Region of São Paulo, Brazil].

This study aimed to analyze the relation between university students' perceived norms and actual drug use among their peers. This cross-sectional study was based on a survey. Evaluations involved all second- and third-year students (ages between 18 and 24 years) of the nursing and medicine courses at the Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, located in the city of Santo André, Brazil.

University students' perceived norms of peers and drug use: a multicentric study in five Latin American countries.

This cross-sectional study compared perceived peer drug use and actual drug use in a sample of Latin American university students. Students from nine universities in five countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Honduras and Peru) completed a questionnaire that addressed the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. Analysis focused on comparing perceptions to actual drug use.

[Sertraline and acute pancreatitis: a case-report].

Acute pancreatitis is a severe disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. Many risk factors are causally related to acute pancreatitis. In this report, a case of acute pancreatitis with possible causal relationship with the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline, will be discussed.

Assessment of motivation for treatment in alcohol dependent patients who sought treatment at a specialized medical service.

Introduction: Motivation is deemed a critical component for interventions intended to change behaviors related to the use of alcohol and other drugs. The classification of patients in 'stages of change' can be a useful tool for the organization and improvement of treating programs.

Methods: This study assessed the stages of change using the scales URICA and SOCRATES in patients who attended two different treating programs for alcohol dependence in a specialized medical service.