Understanding problematic drug use among vulnerable young people accessing drug services: a multivariate approach using statistical modelling techniques ON-line report 15/04

This study aimed to determine the hierarchy of risk and protective factors associated with problematic drug use among adolescents attending designated young peopleís drug services in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Stoke-on-Trent. One-hundred-and-three young people, who were in contact with adolescent drug services, completed a structured questionnaire, while 46 of their parents were also interviewed. The data gathered was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling to provide a greater understanding of how risk and protective factors affect problematic drug use among this group. The results indicated that perceived lack of parental discipline was the best predictor of the level of problematic drug use among this group of service users. Within this model each young personís level of problematic drug use was better explained by parental and peer factors than variables associated with material deprivation and social exclusion. However, the direction of causality between the various factors involved was uncertain and further qualitative research is required. Based on their exploratory findings, the authors suggest that drug prevention and treatment could benefit by incorporating aspects of social learning theory and that drug users seeking help should be carefully assessed with regards to their motivation to change their behaviour.