Date: 17rd Oct 2017, 4PM  
Venue: HAS CSS "Lendület" RECENS Research Group, Conference Room
Address: H-1097 Budapest Tóth Kálmán street 4. T. building 1st Floor, Room 40
 

Abstract:

The paper focuses on the impact factors of drug use awareness and habits (particularly of new psychoactive substances) of primary school students living in segregated settlements in Hungary. The research included an online data collection with responses from more than 3000 lower secondary students. The results of the quantitative analyses were further investigated during a qualitative research that was conducted in 3-3 schools of Baranya, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg counties: 5th and 8th graders, their parents, teachers and members of the child protection network were all subjects of interviews. The result of the multivariate data analyses of the online database shows that besides parenting style, lifestyle and general contentment with life, school has a significant effect on the drug use habits of students. Those who think of themselves as bad students, and doesn’t feel like they belong to a community in school are more exposed to the possibility of drug usage. Based on the qualitative research most of the participating 5th graders had extensive knowledge on different types of drugs, and had acquaintances who already tried drugs, but were not users themselves (unlike in the case of cigarettes or alcohol). Among 8th graders we met with substance users too. Participating schools were not equipped to prepare students how to deal with difficulties (the level of creativity and problem-solving skills was alarmingly low), and it is a common practice among students to use drugs to relieve the tension of everyday life. Our experience was that parents and teachers are less informed about drugs than the students, and doesn’t treat it as a high risk to the children. Means to request or offer help are generally lacking, students can only recall external, power solutions (e.g. calling the police) when asked about how could they help their drug using peer. Beyond the analyses the paper offers potential solutions too.