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Three reports into drug use amongst groups of vulnerable young people (homeless, offenders, and those in transition from care) have been published by the Home Office. Whilst each examines a different group, some similarities between the three sets of results can be drawn out.

Key similarities:

• Drug use in all groups was high. The homeless group had particularly high levels of heroin and crack cocaine usage (43% and 38%). Cannabis use was very high among the other 2 groups, but heroin and crack use lower, at below 20% in each of these groups.

• The quality of help available to each of the groups was perceived to be low and too general. A greater number of smaller agencies might be able to target smaller groups more effectively.

Differences in the group of young homeless

Title: Youth homelessness and substance use: report to the drugs and alcohol research unit
Authors: Emma Wincup, Gemma Buckland and Rhianon Bayliss
Series: Home Office Research Study 258 (Findings 191)
Number of pages: 104 (Findings = 4)
Date published: Feb 2003
Availiability: Download homeless research study PDF 284Kb, Download homeless findings PDF 67Kb

Summary

• Drug taking was high – particularly the use of recreational drugs. In addition, 43% had taken heroin and 38% crack cocaine. Many were poly-drug users and just over a quarter had injected drugs.

• Almost all the young people smoked on a daily basis and a considerable number were also adopting risky drinking habits – with 14% identified as problem drinkers.

• The young people became homeless for a variety of complex reasons – most frequently conflict and abuse. Substance use was the next most common factor given for homelessness. Parents often asked young people to leave for relatively minor drug or alcohol use.

• The young people's accounts suggest that becoming homeless can lead to an escalation of substance use but can also provide an opportunity to give up or cut down. However, they also said their substance use was one of the many barriers they faced when trying to access temporary and permanent accommodation.

• Dedicated and appropriate service provision is required for young homeless people that addresses substance use within the context of their multiple problems.

• Any substance prevention work with this group needs to overcome resistance from the young people and lack of expertise in many homelessness services.

Differences in the group of young offenders

Title:  Substance use by young offenders: the impact of the normalisation of drug use in the early years of the 21st century
Authors: Richard Hammersley, Louise Marsland and Marie Reid
Series: Home Office Research Study 261 (Findings 192)
Number of pages: 104 (Findings = 4)
Date published: Feb 2003
Availability: Download young offenders research study PDF 263Kb, Download young offenders findings PDF 68Kb

Summary

• The group was highly delinquent. Most had committed multiple types of offences, repeatedly. Over 20% reported shoplifting, selling stolen goods, taking a car without consent and drug dealing at least 20 times in the previous year.

• Substance use was also very high. Over 85% had used cannabis, alcohol and tobacco. But less than 20% had used heroin or crack cocaine (although this rate is still comparatively high for such a young group – all but one were under 18 years).

• Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis were more strongly related to offending than were other drugs. The shift towards the use of heroin and/or cocaine and/or drug injection observed in the 1980s amongst delinquents was not evident.

• Some key factors were related to both substance use and offending: life difficulties and events; disliking and being excluded from school; lack of positive coping mechanisms; and expecting to get into trouble again. However, growing up with one parent was not related to offending or drug use.

• The young people felt they had received a lot of help from services (mainly GPs and social workers) but that the quality of the help had been low. Individual counselling or small-scale interventions may be more appropriate than generic services to deal with the diversity of substance use in this group.

• Parents need to be engaged concerning their children's substance use and helped to understand the contemporary prevalence of drug use in this age group.

• The adoption of low or zero tolerance to drugs in school may not be helpful as it encourages secrecy in drug taking and exclusion only of those caught – who may not be the greatest users.

Differences in the group in transition from care to independent living

Title: One problem among many: drug use among care leavers in transition to independent living
Authors:Jenni Ward, Zoë Henderson and Geoffrey Pearson
Series: Home Office Research Study 260 (Findings 190)
Number of pages: 92 (Findings = 4)
Date published: Feb 2003
Availability: Download transition youths research study PDF 229Kb, Download transition youths findings PDF 71Kb

Summary

• The group reported higher levels of drug use than the general population – one-third said they smoked cannabis every day.

• The use of other drugs was also reported – 15% had used ecstasy in the last month, 10% cocaine. Around a tenth reported taking heroin or crack cocaine at some time in their lives.

• Steadily lower levels of drug consumption were reported as the young people began to live independently. However, levels increased during periods of transition to independent living and when movement to independent living was problematic.

• Practical responsibilities and parenthood encouraged more responsible levels of drug use and young care leavers appear to grow out of drug use more quickly than the general population.

• There is a lack of specialist services for young people with drug problems. Assisting young people in the transition from care to independent living is one of Social Services' responsibilities and they need to be prepared to deal with drug-related issues.

• Interventions should be part of more general planning to help young care leavers with housing, employment and training.