Why do children experiment with illegal drugs? The declining role of peer pressure with increasing age

There has been hardly any research on the decisions that children in their late pre-teen and early teenage years (age 11-14) make in relation to drugs and the factors which influence these decisions. This article examines one aspect of this process: the role of peer pressure and its influence in the initiation of illegal drug use. The article is based on a longitudinal study of 92 'at risk' children aged 10-12 years at the time of first contact. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews administered at yearly intervals for a period of two years. The children's accounts suggest that the role of peer pressure declines substantially as a component of drug offers as the children get older and that the decision to experiment with drugs is increasingly a matter of personal choice. The declining role of peer pressure is explained in terms of a change in orientation among drug taking peers from drug trying as a form of risk taking to drug use as an enjoyable activity. One consequence of the reduction in pressure from peers is that children feel more comfortable being in the company of other young people when they are using drugs. Although they still require the skills to deal with unwelcome offers, the study suggests that actions which influence the young person's drug-related choices are likely to be much more relevant to their needs as they get older. The predominant influence of curiosity and boredom in the initial use of drugs also suggests a greater role for activities and interests that provide alternative ways for young people to occupy their time. Finally, while the absence of pressure to take drugs could on one level be seen as reassuring, the fact that it enables children to feel comfortable in the presence of other young people when they are using illegal drugs brings other potential dangers by increasing the opportunity and temptation for them to follow suit. (Author's abstract)