Drug use among Ireland's youth may be on the decrease, according to a new report.
The first report by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Drug Use Prevention: An Overview of Research, will be published tomorrow.
The report says a levelling-off may have occurred in young people's experimentation of with drugs. In the past four years, there has been a fall from 37 per cent to 32 per cent in the level of 16-year-olds who have experimented with illegal substances, it says.
It also notes that if risk factors can be identified that help to pinpoint the causes of drug use, they can also help to suggest the best forms of intervention.
The research indicates the most effective anti-drugs campaign approaches avoid fear and moral tactics, emphasise the short-term not the long-term consequences, and avoid the use of celebrity spokespeople as young people often suspect the extent to which these people are genuine.
Minister of State with special responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy Mr Eoin Ryan, said the report demonstrates clearly there is no single answer to the drug problem in Ireland.
"In order to succeed, drug prevention programmes must not function in isolation, but must work in partnership with schools, community groups, families, and youth groups," Mr Ryan said.
The report, compiled by Dr Mark Morgan of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, is based on research of drug misuse and prevention programmes in Ireland and the international context from the 1960s to today.
The report also found:
- Alcohol, tobacco and inhalants are contributing factors leading to the misuse of drugs.
- Over the last 25 years, television continues to be the main source of information for young people about drugs.
- Mass-media campaigns in isolation are ineffective in achieving lasting behavioural change but must work in tandem with other programmes and Government initiatives.
- Public awareness must be raised about the importance of deprivation as a pre-disposing factor to the misuse of drugs.
The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) was established in July 2000 to advise the Government on prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland based on the analysis of research findings and information available to it.
The Committee oversees a three-year work programme on the extent, nature, causes and effects of drug use in Ireland.