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This study was carried out between January 1998 and June 1999 in Londonderry and the surrounding towns and villages in the north west of Northern Ireland to record the experiences of young people with drugs, to understand their perspectives and their reasons for use or non-use of illicit drugs.

There were two types of data collection - in-depth interviews and group interviews. Respondents were recruited from youth clubs, interest groups and third level institutions by a networking process where respondents were asked to request the participation of their friends. In total, 33 young people took part in individual, in-depth interviews, while 78 took part in group interviews. However, because of problems with taping equipment, three group interviews were not transcribed. The total number of respondents whose interviews and comments were transcribed and analysed was 93.

In the individual in-depth interviews, there were 16 males and 17 females: five ex-users (who had sought treatment), four ex-recreational users (but who continue to use cannabis), six non-users, 14 regular users and four cannabis-only users.

Twenty two females and six males took part in the group interviews. The sample comprised of 14 recreational users, 29 cannabis-only users, 11 non-users, three ex-recreational users (but still smoking cannabis), two ex-cannabis users and one ex-recreational user (who had sought help in staying off drugs).

Main findings

The main findings of the research are presented in summary in the report under 13 headings. These are:

• Availability and normalisation
• Introduction to drugs - first use
• Non-users
• Reasons for not using
• Information
• Cannabis - a special case
• Influence of friends and friendship groups
• Ranges of use
• The high and low experiences
• Personal circumstances and use
• Debt, dealing and money
• Bingeing and polydrug use
• Cessation and modification

The report states that the young people at the time of the survey reported widespread and easy availability of "recreational" drugs and saw such drug taking as "normal" within their social settings. In most cases, first use was in the company of friends, with curiosity and the need to experience what their peers were experiencing seen as significant factors. There was a reported fear of addiction, which put them off taking drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The most widely used drug was cannabis.

A more detailed account of these findings, plus others, will be found in the report available from John McCormick, Northlands, 13 Pump Street, Londonderry. Tel: 028 7126 3356

Reference

1. Loughery C and McCormick J. Drugs: the experience. A study of drug use among teenagers and young adults. Londonderry: Northlands, 2000.