The extent of drugs misuse has increased significantly since 1992, up until which time it was considered that the problem in Northern Ireland was relatively limited. There are now more young people experimenting with drugs. Many young people see using drugs as part of youth culture and as “normative behaviour”.
The 1992 and 1994 HSBC
Surveys indicated that the percentage of 5th formers who had been offered drugs
rose steadily from 25.5% to 41.9%. By 1998 the figure had risen to 52%.
The findings in the
surveys conducted during 1995-98 indicated that the most popular drugs used
were cannabis,
LSD and Ecstasy. Solvents tended to be used by more young people than heroin
and cocaine.
In 1999 a report on
adult’s knowledge and awareness of illicit drugs was published, using
information from the Northern
Ireland Omnibus Survey carried out in February 1997. The main findings
indicated that approximately 25%
of all those aged 16-59 reported that they had ever taken an illicit drug. The most popular drug used
was cannabis (18%). 34% of adults thought that drugs were a normal part of life for many or most
14-17 year olds and 48% for 18-25 year olds. Only 10% thought that they were a
normal part of life for many or most 10-13 year olds.
Cannabis and Ecstasy
continue to be the main illicit drugs used in Northern Ireland. While research and surveys show that
few people are actually using heroin or cocaine, it is accepted that in some localities
the use of these drugs is becoming part of a drug taking culture.
Drug Society for Northern
Ireland. [Online Article] Available at:
<http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/drugs_strategy.pdf> [Accessed on 29th
December 2012]
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