ENGLAND, United Kingdom – May 2017: Recent findings from a report of a UK-based specialist drug, alcohol and mental health treatment charity, named ‘Addaction’, have provided insight to young people’s views on the use of NPS, its repercussions and the help required. The study was conducted in autumn 2016 and involved more than 1,600 young people aged under 25 who live in England.

Among the respondents of the online survey, lifetime prevalence of use of any drug was at 66 per cent with synthetic cannabinoids being the most commonly reported NPS. Three quarters of those having used any drug had used NPS. Motives of using NPS were to ‘have fun’ whilst others used them as a method of coping with difficult situations. Some participants indicated that they were not aware of the dangers or risks associated with NPS use. Significant adverse effects of NPS were reported, in terms of physical health and emotional wellbeing, with ‘delusions, hallucinations, panic or anxiety’ being listed as the most common adverse effects experienced. Some young people reported that they had mistakenly used NPS thinking it was cannabis or another illegal substance.

Figure 1: Age of respondents online

For more information, please see:

New Psychoactive Substances Insight Report: “The View from Young People” - http://www.addaction.org.uk/sites/default/files/public/attachments/npsinsightreport.pdf

New research reveals young people’s views on new psychoactive substances - http://www.addaction.org.uk/news/new-research-reveals-young-people%E2%80%99s-views-new-psychoactive-substances