Young people's perceptions of and experiences with drugs: findings from an Irish study

Abstract

This paper presents data from Irish children on their perceptions and experi ences in relation to illicit drugs as they approached adolescence. Depth inter views were conducted with 78 participants and data were analysed using a qualitative strategy whereby data were categorised into conceptual themes. Findings suggested that most participants had a high level of exposure to a drug culture, yet had little direct experiences with actually being, offered or using, drugs. A small minority had used cannabis and tended to frame the substance and its use in benign terms. Most children, however, expressed anti- drug attitudes. Participants' knowledge of the outcome of drug use tended to be vague or dramatic.