Substance abuse among early school leavers is significantly higher than among those remaining in education a study published today has revealed.
Commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) the study among 15- to 18-year-olds found the role of parents and peers and other factors that led to early school-leaving had an enormous influence on the prevalence of substance abuse.
The study divided 15 substances into four classes: cigarettes; alcohol and legal party pills; cannabis, and other drugs, and it analysed the data over three separate periods.
It found over two-fifths (41 per cent) of early school leavers had taken hard drugs (such as psychedelics, cocaine and heroin) during their lifetime compared to only 11 per cent of school goers.
Over half (57 per cent) had used cannabis, compared to 24 per cent of school attendees, and they were more likely to smoke - 82 per cent to 53 per cent.
Alcohol abuse levels were similar among the two groups, with 90 per cent of early school leavers having drunk alcohol at least once compared to 88 per cent among school goers.
Entitled, Risk and Protection Factors for Substance Use Among Young People, the study found both the young person's family (especially parents) and the educational institution can have a major impact on the risk of abusing substances.
It said: “The involvement of parents with their children is a major protective factor, reducing the risk of substance use, just as parental concern about their children’s behaviour and future prospects insulates them, at least to a certain extent, from this risk.”
The research found a positive school experience, including good relationships with teachers, can also protect against the risk of drug abuse.
“The higher levels of substance use that are observed among early school-leavers are not explained by the nature of their current educational context, but are primarily the result of the factors underlying early school-leaving.
“At the school level, by far the most important factor is for the young person to feel supported by their teachers and to have a positive experience of school and learning. These are the strongest potential effects detected in this study and cannot be emphasised enough,” it added.
NACD chairman Des Corrigan said programmes that support families need to be strengthened so they can intervene at an early stage to prevent or delay early substance use.
“It is important to build on existing education initiatives which aim to prevent early-school leaving so that their impact on countering substance use among young people is maintained,” he said.
Mr Corrigan called for substance use education to be delivered to all second level schools and other education and training centres that access early school leavers.
Speaking at the report's publication, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey said supporting, encouraging and building the confidence of young people must be central to society.
“We must continue to work to help our youth to realise their full potential and to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed choices about their health and future,” he added.
