Drugs Questionnaire findings Parents findings Is there enough

Drugs Questionnaire findings

Parents’ findings

Is there enough support and information for parents regarding drug use? 26, 80% 43, 47%Yes No Not sure 34, 70%

Where parents can find support and information on drug use? 9, 90% 6, 60% 3, 30% Not sure 3, 30% Church Library 13, 30% Youth group 9, 90% Counsellors 3, 30% 6, 60% 9, 90% 13, 30% 19, 80% Drugs Support group Doctor Teacher Deal with themselves Friends/family Internet

Which drugs have you heard of? 15, 74% 25, 93% 11, 11% 13, 89% 16, 67% Cannabis Solvents Esctasy Herion Methadone Tranquilisers

Is drugs a taboo subject in your home? Yes 6, 90% No 93, 10%

Unsupervised time per child, in hours, per day 19, 00% 0, 00% zero-one hour one-two 52, 30% hours 33, 30% three-four hours Five hours +

Parents’ Suggestions for tackling drug use (for schools) 6, 25% 9, 37% 12, 50% Education/ information Homework with parent participation Vigilance in school 53, 12% Intervention 3, 12% 12, 50% Prevention Information for parents 3, 12% Show negative effects

Parents’ suggestions for tackling drug use (at home) 8, 57% 5, 71% Talk and educate 5, 71% Ensure supervision 42, 80% Honest discussion 17, 10% Preventing 22, 80% Provide support Ensure contact with child's friends

Young people’s findings

What percentage of young people questioned have been offered drugs? 52, 08% 47, 92% yes no

What age are young people typically first offered drugs? 70% 65, 22% 60% 50% 40% 34, 78% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0, 00% Under 10 10 -15 yrs old

What age do young people typically first try drugs? 60% 53, 85% 46, 15% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 0, 00% under 10 10 -15 yrs old 15 yrs +

The last time you used drugs, where did you get them from? 10% 19% 14% 57% friend of own age boyfriend/girlfriend older friend acquantice

Where were you when you last used drugs? In street/outdoor area At a pub, club etc 13, 04% 8, 70% At party Someone elses home At home 34, 78% 26, 09% 17, 39% 0% 5% 10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

Where would you go if you wanted help, advice, or information about drugs? net/web tv/radio books friends male family member female family member youthworker helpline teacher counsellor drop in magazines advice organ doctor 12, 18% 2, 54% 5, 08% 7, 61% 4, 57% 5, 58% 7, 61% 33, 33% 5, 58% 7, 61% 29, 63% 5, 56% 37, 04% 12, 69% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Typical opinions of young people on drug use All people who take drugs should be punished The HIV virus can be passed on by needle-sharing People who take drugs are stupid People my age who take drugs need help and advice All people who sell drugs should be punished People take drugs to relax 27, 08% 81, 25% 32, 65% 4, 17% 14, 58% 25, 00%18, 75% 57, 14% 20, 41%22, 45% 18, 37%26, 53% 10, 20%34, 69% 62, 75% 15, 69% 21, 57% 75, 00% 79, 17% 28, 57% Disagree 10, 20% 56, 25% 55, 10% 0% 8, 33% 57, 14% 55, 10% What adults tell us about the dangers of drug-use is true Most young people will try out drugs at some time I know enough about the dangers of drugs Taking drugs harms your health Taking drugs is exciting Agree 64, 58% 50% 55, 10% Don't know 14, 58% 10, 42% 16, 33% 100% 150%

How useful have you found the lessons/talks/discussions you have had in school about drugs? 30% 27, 66% 29, 79% 25% 20% 15% 12, 77% 10, 64% 8, 51% 10% 5% 6, 38% 4, 26% 0% dont know not had any very useful fairly useful not very not useful dont know useful at all

Some other interesting statistics we discovered • 37% of those questioned have tried drugs • Most of those who have tried drugs have used either legal highs or Class B/C drugs such as Cannabis • Nearly 10% of those questioned take drugs at least once a week • 10% of those questioned spend £ 20 or more per week on drugs • Most drug users gave some of their drugs away

Summary and conclusion

Parents • The majority of parents feel there are enough support organisations for drugs • Doctors, drug support groups, and teachers three most popular places to find support and information on drug use • Education/information most important thing schools can provide – as well as vigilance, and information for parents

Parents (continued) • Talk and discussion, supervision, and honesty top measures parents can make at home

Young people • Nearly half the amount of young people who filled in the questionnaire have been offered • Young people are normally offered drugs aged 15+ (65%) • Young people normally try drugs aged 15+ (53%) • Most young people get drugs from an older friend (57%)

Young people (continued) • Young people typically take drugs at parties (34%) or at someone else’s home (26%) • 55% of the young people who did this questionnaire stated that young people take drugs to relax • Most young people said that any lessons or information they have received on drugs has been very useful. However, 26% said they haven’t been given any lessons on drug use.

Possible developments in the project area • Parental supervision could help reduce drug taking as most is done away from home • Most drugs are got from older friends. Parents must ensure they know their child’s group of friends • Young people want to speak more to professional drug addiction advisors, rather than teachers • Most parents think the best place to get help with drugs is their doctor. Perhaps professional drug advisors might be better?