[Religion and drug use by adolescents].

Introduction: Many international studies show that religion is an important dimension modulating the use of alcohol and drugs by adolescents.

Objectives: to determine which religious variables are associated to frequent or heavy use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs among adolescents in intermediate and high schools in Campinas, Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-report anonymous questionnaire was administered to 2,287 students from a convenience sample of seven schools: five from central areas (two public and three private schools) and two public schools from the outskirts of the city, in 1998.