STEPS is an initiative providing counselling for young people. This study assessed the need for a STEPS centre in Mullingar and the surrounding area. A total of 631 young people in the area responded to questionnaires which queried attitudes on parents, schools, smoking, alcohol and drug use. The respondents aged from 10 to 18, with 31% male and 69% female. 52.2% of respondents said they consumed alcohol, with 50.3% of those drinking every week. In terms of drug use, 17.4% said they had used drugs, with the majority (54%) taking cannabis. Of those who did take drugs, 59% said they had taken substances as they 'wanted to experiment'. 51.3% of those interviewed said they had smoked cigarettes. Substance use was listed as a major problem for all respondents, as were bullying, family problems and peer pressure.