The Use of Cannabis by Adolescents and Young Adults: Comparison of European Consumption Practices
Beck, François
The Use of Cannabis by Adolescents and Young Adults: Comparison of European Consumption Practices - 2008.
41
The French are among the largest consumers of cannabis in Europe, both according to general population surveys of adults from various European countries and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD survey) conducted among over 100,000 15- to 16-year-old adolescents from most countries in Europe. Among the countries with the strictest and most suppressive policies concerning the use of psychotropic drugs, the level of consumption of cannabis appears particularly high in France and lowest in Sweden. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, a country diametrically opposed in terms of policy measures in this regard and a country that carries the image of great freedom and tolerance in this respect, shows average consumption rates between the two extreme cases aforementioned. Even more important than legislation is the presence of networks of close-knit relationships between young people. This is a critical aspect that has strongly influenced the choice of whether or not to consume a product such as cannabis. In this sense, adolescents’ behavior and practices are integrally linked to the opinions, perceptions, and practices of their peers.
The Use of Cannabis by Adolescents and Young Adults: Comparison of European Consumption Practices - 2008.
41
The French are among the largest consumers of cannabis in Europe, both according to general population surveys of adults from various European countries and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD survey) conducted among over 100,000 15- to 16-year-old adolescents from most countries in Europe. Among the countries with the strictest and most suppressive policies concerning the use of psychotropic drugs, the level of consumption of cannabis appears particularly high in France and lowest in Sweden. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, a country diametrically opposed in terms of policy measures in this regard and a country that carries the image of great freedom and tolerance in this respect, shows average consumption rates between the two extreme cases aforementioned. Even more important than legislation is the presence of networks of close-knit relationships between young people. This is a critical aspect that has strongly influenced the choice of whether or not to consume a product such as cannabis. In this sense, adolescents’ behavior and practices are integrally linked to the opinions, perceptions, and practices of their peers.
Réseaux sociaux