NCJ Number
205186
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 101-112
Date Published
April 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined patterns of drug use in a sample of 200 youth (ages 16-20) attending 10 "further-education" colleges in inner London who were involved in illegal drug use on more than an occasional basis.
Abstract
Self-completion questionnaires were distributed to sample members. The questions focused on patterns of drug use and associated experiences. All of the youth were either weekly cannabis users and/or users of stimulant drugs within the previous 3 months. Cannabis was the most widely used drug, with its use being even more prevalent than tobacco and alcohol; stimulant drugs were less used, and other drugs were rarely used. Only 9 percent of the sample indicated dissatisfaction with their drug use; however, 53 percent of the sample had previously made, were currently making, or were considering making changes to reduce risks associated with their drug use. Most of the youth attributed their interactional problems directly to their drug use, and minor levels of drug dependence were reported. Proximity to people involved in heroin use and drug selling were also reported. Among the sample, drug selling, both to friends and others, was common. The authors advise that additional, more sensitive, research on problems and harms related to using various types of drugs is needed. 3 tables and 32 references