Key issues

Adolescence and young adulthood are life stages often associated with risk-taking and experimentation, which may include substance use. Schools and colleges are important settings in which to reach young people, although some vulnerable groups may not be well-represented within them. In schools the focus of drug-related interventions is mainly on preventing or delaying the initiation of substance use as well as developing skills to support healthy decision-making and socialisation.

Schools may also provide an important setting for the early identification of at-risk individuals, including young people with vulnerable personality traits and non-attenders, who may benefit from targeted interventions that reduce the likelihood of escalation into substance use disorders. For older pupils and college students, controlled use and the de-escalation of consumption are the key targets for interventions.