NCJ Number
223061
Journal
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: 2008 Pages: 5-21
Date Published
2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from an exploratory study aimed at assessing the nature and extent of drug use among a group of young Travelers in Ireland.
Abstract
The young Travelers exhibited similar trends to “settled” adolescents with regard to drug use trends and attitudes but reported poor levels of health awareness, drug knowledge, and knowledge of drug services. The social exclusion of young Travelers puts them at risk of problematic drug use due to issues of poor literacy levels, family crisis, discrimination, poor knowledge of service provision relating to drug education and treatment, and the location of halting sites in areas of high drug usage. Research indicates that the prevalence of experimental drug use in Ireland has increased over the last two decades. Adolescent drug use encompasses a broad range of social backgrounds and affects physical, psychological, and social development. This research provides data on the patterns of youth drug use and drug related risk behaviors of young Travelers in the South Eastern Region of Ireland. Travelers are a minority ethnic group which has a long shared history and value system, their own language, customs, and traditions. Travelers are at particular risk of ill health and poor physical, social, and cognitive development with substance abuse, particularly alcohol use common among the Travelers community. References