Young People's Feelings About Drugs

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study which involved the collection of qualitative data through a series of focus groups with young people aged 24–16. The aim of the study, as presented, was to explore the feelings that young people themselves express, about the use of illegal drugs, along with reasons that they give as to why young people might take such drugs. The findings suggest that there is a general acceptance of 'soft' drug use by young people, alongside a degree of fatalism in accepting this by those who believe drug use to be wrong. Familiarization with drugs would appear to be an important factor in shaping young people's views of drugs, along with a belief, to some extent, that individuals have the right to choose for themselves about using drugs.