Youth charity’s report disputes official numbers on drug misuse

Study claims substance abuse among young Scots has not fallen despite assertion in government figures

Drug use among young people in Scotland may be higher than reported in national statistics, it has been suggested.

In a study by youth support charity Includem and the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ), youth workers say the number of young people using substances has not fallen.

This comes despite official statistics published four years ago outlining a fall in drug use among under-15s from 37% to 19%, between 2002 and 2015.

Last year, the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland rose to 1,187 – the highest since records began in 1996.

The 120 youth workers who took part in the study, and who are employed by Includem, said support for those using drugs needs to be tailored to meet individuals and to get to the root cause of why each individual uses them.

They also warned about the seriousness of “drug debts”.

Includem is based in Glasgow with offices in Dundee, Fife, Stirling and Aberdeen and works with “vulnerable” young people aged up to 25.

Its chief executive Martin Dorchester said staff at the charity are “well placed” to judge levels of misuse.

“Substance misuse continues to be a real issue for a significant number of young people we work with,” he said.

“We are just not seeing the falling drug misuse rates within this group.

“Our workers on the ground are well placed to judge true levels of misuse and see the consequences of it every day.

“On the surface these falling figures seem encouraging but drill down to what is happening on the streets and our staff will tell a different story.”

He added: “Substance misuse is an issue that affects people in many ways.

“If we are serious about reducing these unacceptable rates of drug deaths we need to invest in early intervention preventative work with those groups of young people most at risk of serious drug misuse.

“The way young people view alcohol and drugs is constantly evolving, as are the types of substances available and how young people use them.

“It’s really important we keep an eye on these trends and make sure our staff are as informed as possible so they can support young people as best they can.

“This type of study equips us with the knowledge to do this.”

Includem provides intensive, tailored support to young people and families in challenging circumstances, including where there is “harmful behaviour” such as alcohol, drug abuse, and offending.

The study, Substance Misuse and Young People in Scotland, is published by the two organisations.