A new Irish study based on the 2020 Planet Youth Survey has revealed that home life dynamics and extracurricular activities significantly influence adolescent cannabis use.1 Conducted among nearly 5,000 secondary school students in Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, the research provides insights into factors linked to teenage substance use in Ireland. Speaking about the study, first author
Dr Fionn Daly said:

Although adolescent cannabis use is a significant public health concern, there is limited evidence on how the home environment and involvement in extracurricular activities correlate with teenage cannabis use in Ireland. Therefore, we analysed responses from adolescents who participated in the Planet Youth 2020 – Growing Up in the West survey, which was an anonymous questionnaire available to all school-going adolescents residing in the western region of Ireland.

In this research, which has been published in the journal Public Health, it was found that 18.5% of adolescents had tried cannabis, with 7.5% having used it in the past month. The study found that adolescents who spent time outside after midnight, had less parental monitoring, or weaker community ties (referred to as intergenerational closure) were significantly more likely to report cannabis use. Notably, participation in structured extracurricular activities, such as sports and volunteering, was linked to lower rates of cannabis use; teenagers who regularly played sports or engaged in volunteering had reduced odds of cannabis use. While music, arts, and drama were also protective to some extent, their impact was less consistent.

The findings echo international evidence, particularly from Iceland, where structured leisure time and strong parental involvement have been linked to dramatic declines in adolescent substance use. Ireland’s relatively high rate of youth cannabis use, compared with other European countries, suggests a need to bolster protective social environments.

The study authors call for increased investment in community-based prevention strategies. These include promoting parental engagement, expanding access to youth clubs and sports teams, and considering initiatives like Iceland’s Recreation Card to reduce financial barriers to participation in extracurricular activities.

Commenting on the findings, study lead Dr Peter Barrett said:

Our research suggests that the use of cannabis remains relatively common among adolescents in Ireland. Social environment factors related to cannabis use, both within the home and in the wider community, identified in this study, may provide valuable insights for primary prevention interventions which require action at a grassroots level.

1    Daly FP, Millar SR, Major E and Barrett PM (2025) The impact of the home life environment and organised extracurricular activities on adolescent cannabis use: findings from the Irish Planet Youth Survey. Public Health, 242, pp. 375-381. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/42978/