Disclaimer: Please note that parts of this blog have been automatically translated.
‘Drug use among young people on the rise: ‘They think they can take on the world’” is the title of a news article from NPO Radio 1. Then the article starts with the sentence ‘A pill at a festival is cheaper than drinking alcohol all day’.1 This raises questions. What about alcohol consumption among young people these days? And what about drug use among this group? Are drugs an alternative to alcohol, especially when alcohol prices are so high?
In the Netherlands, alcohol consumption among young people fell substantially between 2003 and 2014 and then remained fairly stable. The decline seemed to be due in part to policy measures, such as raising the alcohol age and various awareness campaigns about the negative effects of alcohol consumption.2 Higher alcohol prices, such as in Scotland due to Minimum Unit Pricing, have also led to less alcohol consumption.3,4
While alcohol use among young people has declined, the use of various drugs among young people has actually increased in recent years.5 Research has shown that the use of XTC, cocaine and amphetamine in the Netherlands is above the European average.6 In addition, research showed that many young people who have not used drugs in the past year find it normal if others use drugs occasionally or regularly.7
Young people have different motives for alcohol and drug use. These reasons include enhancing pleasure, social interaction, conformity, coping with anxiety or depression, boredom, self-fulfillment, and performance enhancement.8 It is possible that, as young people use less alcohol, they may seek other means to fulfill these needs.
We now know that alcohol consumption has declined in recent years, due in part to the increase in alcohol prices. It is also worth noting that young people have been using drugs more in recent years. Given that alcohol and drug use fall under the same motives, is it the case that young people use drugs because it is cheaper than alcohol? In both Scotland and Australia, no significant influence of increased alcohol prices on drug use has been found.3,9
So is the conclusion that young people turn to drugs because of price, as the NPO article suggests, perhaps drawn too quickly? Or is it that the context in Scotland and Australia is so different that the effect might be found in the Netherlands? For example, the Netherlands has a policy of tolerance, which may influence the accessibility and normalization of drug use. Or are Dutch youth still looking for other ways to experiment and enrich their experiences, regardless of price factors? It remains an interesting issue that requires further exploration to map the relationship between alcohol consumption, alcohol prices and drug use.
This blog was written by Vera van der Schoof for the course Recent Developments in Risk Behavior, Master’s Program PWO, 2024.
References
1. NPO Radio 1. (2024, oktober 5). Drugsgebruik onder jongeren stijgt: ‘Ze denken de wereld aan te kunnen’. Spraakmakers KRO-NCRV. Geraadpleegd op 5 oktober 2024,. https://www.nporadio1.nl/nieuws/gezondheid/506abbff-7668-46ac-97da-6d907c045328/drugsgebruik-jongeren-stijgt-ze-denken-de-wereld-aan-te-kunnen.
2. Trimbos-instituut. (n.d.). Cijfers alcoholgebruik jongeren. Expertisecentrum Alcohol. Geraadpleegd op 4 oktober 2024, van https://www.trimbos.nl/kennis/alcohol/alcohol-in-cijfers/cijfers-alcoholgebruik-jongeren/
3. Public Health Scotland. (2023). Evaluating the impact of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland: Final report. https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/20366/evaluating-the-impact-of-minimum-unit-pricing-for-alcohol-in-scotland-final-report.pdf
4. Burton, R., Henn, C., Lavoie, D., O’Connor, R., Perkins, C., Sweeney, K., Greaves, F., Ferguson, B., Beynon, C., Belloni, A., Musto, V., Marsden, J., & Sheron, N. (2017). A rapid evidence review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol control policies: an English perspective. The Lancet, 389(10078), 1558–1580. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32420-5
5. Van Beek, R., Monshouwer, K., Schutten, F., Den Hollander, W., Andree, R., & Van Laar, M. (2023). Het Grote Uitgaansonderzoek 2023 Uitgaanspatronen, middelengebruik, gezondheid en intentie tot stoppen of minderen onder uitgaande jongeren en jongvolwassenen. Trimbos-instituut. https://sociaalweb.nl/wp-content/uploads/po_assets/934507.pdf
6. Van Laar, M., Beenakkers, E., & Cruts, G. (2021). Nationale Drug Monitor: Jaarbericht 2020. Trimbos-instituut. https://www.trimbos.nl/aanbod/webwinkel/af1862-jaarbericht-nationale-drug-monitor-2020/
7. Hilbink, A., Ketelaars, D., van Tilburg, L., van Duijnhoven, M., & Dijkstra, B. (2024). Drugsgebruik en normalisatie ervan bij jong-volwassenen; monitor naar drugsgebruik. Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie, 66(3): 130-136. https://www.tijdschriftvoorpsychiatrie.nl/nl/artikelen/article/50-13303_Drugsgebruik-en-normalisatie-ervan-bij-jongvolwassenen-monitor-naar-drugsgebruik.
8. Biolcati, R., & Passini, S. (2019). Development of the Substance Use Motives Measure (SUMM): A comprehensive eight-factor model for alcohol/drugs consumption. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 10, 100199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100199.
9. Miller, P. & Droste, N. (2013). Alcohol price considerations on alcohol and illicit drug use in university students. Journal Of Alcoholism And Drug Dependence, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-6488.1000109.