Research into problematic drug-use by under 18s

Professor of Nursing Research, Rob Newell (pictured left), is to investigate the experiences and opinions of drug use by under 18s in Bradford.

Rob said: "Substance misuse affects all children and teenagers, regardless of age, gender, culture, ethnic background, education, race or socio-economic status. Whilst the use of illicit drugs by young people has been investigated both locally and nationally, studies have not adequately distinguished between non-problematic illicit use and problematic drug use. This creates difficulty because many services to drug users exist primarily to address such problematic use."

It is hoped the research will place Bradford's Bridge project, which provides a range of day centre and outreach services to young people under the age of 18, in a position to offer a better service to drug users.

The research will question drug users about their view of what constitutes problematic drug use. This will allow the team to assess the size and nature of such problematic use amongst the young people the project serves.

Rob said: "We will attempt to engage with groups showing particular disadvantage and likelihood of social exclusion. This will hopefully offer the groups better, more targeted provision of a service which seeks to address their difficulties, increasing social inclusion, and to give them a voice in defining the nature of their difficulties."

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