One-fifth of young drug-users keep on taking

Date: 01/08/02

DRUGS have become an accepted part of the growing-up process for many young people throughout the EU, according to a new study.

The report, by the Lisbon-based European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, examined how many adolescent users take drugs regularly later in life. It estimates the 'continuation rate' is about 20, compared with 75 for alcohol.

The centre's director, Georges Estievenart, said: 'Most people who try drugs do so either experimentally or intermittently when young as part of 'normal' growing up.

'They stop due to factors linked to an adult life, such as starting a regular job, having children or acquiring financial responsibility.

'However, a relatively small number of drug users continue onto more intensive problem drug-use later in life.' Continued use is normally triggered by social and economic hardship, the report found.

'Policymakers, therefore, have to decide how far to spread their prevention resources across the whole population and how far to concentrate efforts on specific groups or those at greatest risk,' said Estievenart.

The study also questioned the typical means for testing the extent of drug use among young people. It found too much concentration on testing children aged 11-16, while the highest levels of drug use and rates of first use generally occurred in young adults aged 18 or older.

The study concludes: 'The message to policymakers is not to neglect young adults up to the age of 25 when monitoring and responding to drug use.'

Drugs have become an accepted part of the growing-up process for many young people throughout the EU, according to a new study by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

http://www.emcdda.europa.eu http://www.emcdda.eu.int

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