Adolescent attitudes to illicit drug use, education and support: a qualitative study in the United Kingdom

This study aimed to explore young people's knowledge and attitudes around illicit drug use, its prevention, and the barriers and facilitators to accessing support, with the aim of informing the development of preventative interventions that resonate with young people and address their specific needs and concerns. By drawing on these insights, interventions can be tailored to be more engaging, relevant and impactful for young people.

A qualitative approach was used to analyse data collected from focus groups and interviews with young people (N = 97) in the United Kingdom, living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage. Questions focused on the knowledge of young people around substances, the sort of substance use prevention education, or interventions, they would see as beneficial, and the obstacles and facilitators to accessing support for issues around substance use.

The findings suggest that prevention strategies which are likely to appeal to young people should provide non-stigmatizing, harm-reduction approaches to prevention education, which are provided as early as possible. Interventions should provide the skills to enable autonomous decision making, consider including parents/families in education and include trusted sources of support such as those with experience and knowledge of substance use.

This study informs the development of preventative interventions for young people by providing insight around the knowledge and views of young people in the United Kingdom. It highlights the importance of taking a multifaceted approach to prevention that considers individual, social, and systemic factors.