The usual suspects: Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in 15- to 6-year-old school pupils—prevalence, feelings and perceived health risks

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a five-year study of year-11 pupils (15–16 years old), based on a sample drawn from seven schools in the North West of England. It examines: use, feelings about close friend's use and perceptions of the health-related risks of specific drugs. The findings conform with those examining other similar populations, in identifying that ‘The Usual Suspects', alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the predominant drugs used by young people at 15–16. The reported use of alcohol and tobacco has remained consistent throughout the course of the study. However, beliefs about the health risks of these drugs have altered over the five-year period. The picture for cannabis has changed in terms of use and feelings about use; pointing to a continued process of normalization for this drug. The paper places the findings in the context of other recent studies; the specific value of the current study arises from the use of pupils from the same schools on a year on year basis (giving a total sample of 4059).