Adolescent drug use in Wales
Christopher Smith, Don Nutbeam
British Journal of Addiction February 1, 1992 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1992.tb02696.x via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractJust over a fifth of 15-16-year-olds in Wales report having tried drugs at some time, while a tenth say they have done so within the past month. The most frequently reported substances were marijuana, solvents and glue, and psilocybin. Few young people reported multiple or regular drug use. Drug use prevalence was higher among pupils from single-parent families, and more boys than girls reported using psilocybin. The reliability and validity of self-report data are discussed, along with implications for health education programs.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,239 |
| Population | 15-16-year-olds in Wales |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Drug Psychiatry Medicine Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 45 |
| Key finding | Just over a fifth of 15-16-year-olds in Wales report having tried drugs, with marijuana, solvents and glue, and psilocybin being the most common; few reported multiple or regular use. |
Abstract
Abstract As part of a larger survey of health‐related behaviours, 2239 15–16‐year‐olds in Wales provided information on their use of eight different types of drugs. Key findings indicate that just over a fifth of this age group report to having tried drugs at some time, while a tenth say they have done so within the past month. The most frequently reported substances were marijuana, solvents and glue, and psilocybin. Few of the young people reported multiple or regular drug use. The prevalence of drug use was higher for pupils from single parent families, and more boys than girls reported using psilocybin. The reliability and validity of self‐report data are discussed, and the implications of the findings for health education programmes considered.