Research found that the images young people saw of those who smoked, drank, or took drugs had a greater impact on their behaviour than anything others might say to them.
Source: Paschal Sheeran, Unconscious Effects of Prototypes on Young People's Health and Social Behaviour, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release
Date: 2004-Oct
A study found that the number of teenagers smoking remained 'worryingly high', with girls twice as likely as boys to take it up. Targeting young people aged 11-14 was not enough to deter them from taking up smoking a couple of years later.
Source: Mark Conner et al., Understanding Adolescent Smoking Initiation: A four-year longitudinal study, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Sep
A report summarized the available evidence on the prevention and/or reduction of illicit drug use among young people.
Source: Una Canning, Louise Millward, Thara Raj and Daniel Warm, Drug Use Prevention among Young People: Review of reviews, Health Development Agency (020 7430 0850)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | HDA press release
Date: 2004-Sep
Among those aged 11-15 in England in 2003, prevalence of drug taking increased slightly (from 20 per cent to 21 per cent), compared to the previous year. Among those aged 16-24 year in England and Wales in 2002-03, drug taking decreased slightly (from 30 per cent to 28 per cent).
Source: Statistics on Young People and Drug Misuse: England, 2003, Statistical Bulletin 2004/13, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Bulletin (pdf)
Date: 2004-Aug
A new book argued that rather than treating sex and drugs including alcohol as separate education issues, it was necessary to help young people understand the links between them, so that they could manage the risks they might face more effectively.
Source: Jeanie Lynch and Simon Blake, Sex, Alcohol and Other Drugs: Exploring the links in young people s lives, National Children s Bureau (020 7843 6029)
Links: NCB press release
Date: 2004-Apr
A survey in 2003 of children aged 11-15 found that 21 per cent had taken drugs in the previous year (an increase from 20 per cent in 2002 and 2001); 12 per cent had taken drugs in the previous month (unchanged); 9 per cent were regular smokers (down from 10 per cent in 2002) and 25 per cent had drunk alcohol in the previous week (24 per cent in 2002).
Source: Drug Use, Smoking and Drinking among Young People in England in 2003: Headline figures, Department of Health (020 7972 5581)
Links: Report (pdf) | DH press release
Date: 2004-Mar
Researchers who questioned young people using drug treatment services found that perceived lack of parental discipline, and the respondent s friends using drugs, were the two most important factors predicting problematic drug use.
Source: Helen Beckett et al., Understanding Problem Drug Use among Young People Accessing Drug Services: A multivariate approach using statistical modelling techniques, Online Report 15/04, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2004-Mar
The government announced a 50 million 'single pot fund' (sic) designed to ensure young people under 19 received drug treatment, education and early intervention where it was needed, faster and more effectively. The fund pulled together money from the Home Office, the Health and Education departments, and the Youth Justice Board.
Source: Press release 24 March 2004, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Home Office press release
Date: 2004-Mar
A survey found that children as young as 13 were starting to experiment with drugs, and that these early users were more likely to move on to hard drugs such as heroin. The study also discovered a big gap between the onset of drug use as a child and the point at which treatment was sought: most addicts sought help only when they reached 25.
Source: Sara Jones, Sarah Drainey, Lee Walker and Jennifer Rooney, Collecting the Evidence: Clients views on drug services, Addaction (020 7251 5860)
Links: Report (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Mar
A briefing paper reported on a study of the role of cannabis in young people's lives during their early teenage years. Interviews explored cannabis-related beliefs and behaviour of young people aged 13-15 within the context of their everyday lives.
Source: Gill Highet, Young People, Cannabis and Family Life, Research Briefing 14, Centre for Research on Families and Relationships/University of Edinburgh (0131 651 1832)
Links: Briefing (pdf)
Date: 2004-Mar
Researchers examined vulnerability amongst young prostitutes, the relationship between sex work and drug use, and opportunities for leaving sex work and giving up drug use. The most vulnerable sex workers were all girls who had been involved in prostitution before the age of 18. They were problematic drug users often continuing to prostitute themselves to fund their habit.
Source: Linda Cusick, Anthea Martin and Tiggey May, Vulnerability and Involvement in Drug Use and Sex Work, Research Study 268, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Study (pdf) | Findings (pdf)
Date: 2004-Mar
A literature review examined the role of external contributors in school drug, alcohol and tobacco education. No evidence was found to suggest that any particular agency was more effective (in terms of being well received by pupils and teachers and/or leading to knowledge, attitude or behaviour change in the pupils) than any other in providing drug education. When combined with class teachers, external contributors could bring specialist knowledge and novelty, leading to high involvement and enjoyment for children.
Source: David White, Emily Buckley and Judith Hassan, Literature Review on the Role of External Contributors in School Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education, Research Report 514, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2004-Feb
The Prime Minister said (in a newspaper interview) that said he wanted headteachers to employ private companies to carry out random drugs tests on pupils. Campaigners condemned the plans, saying that they risked driving drug use further underground, increasing truancies and exclusions, and causing a breakdown in trust between pupils and schools. Teachers attacked the plans as 'draconian'.
Source: News of the World, 22 February 2004 | Press release 22 February 2004, DrugScope (020 7928 1211) | Press release 23 February 2004, Association of Teachers and Lecturers (020 7930 6441)
Links: Downing Street press briefing | Drugscope press release | ATL press release | NAHT press release | NASUWT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Feb
A new book explored the causes and consequences of substance misuse; the interventions and services available; and the way forward for improving treatment and services.
Source: Ilana Crome, Hamid Ghodse, Eilish Gilvarry and Paul McArdle (eds.), Young People and Substance Misuse, Royal College of Psychiatrists (020 7235 2351)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Feb
Researchers found that of the 35,000 young people who had been involved in the 'Positive Futures' programme, just under 85 per cent had developed a 'meaningful relationship' with the project, and had shown encouraging signs of progression. (Positive Futures was launched in March 2000. It is a national sports-based social inclusion programme working with young people on issues associated with substance misuse.)
Source: Positive Futures Impact Report: Engaging with young people, Home Office (020 7273 3637)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2004-Feb