Background to the Research

• There had been a substantial increase in the use of illicit drugs in the past decade, particularly amongst young people. The UK government had responded to this by launching its anti-drugs initiative 'Tackling Drugs Together', from which the NI drugs policy found its origins. From within this policy the NI Executive established a number of working groups to operationalise this policy. One such group, the Information and Research Working Group, identified a need to conduct research into the knowledge and use of drugs and alcohol amongst primary school children aged 8-11 years in line with the NI Drugs Strategy. This report was commissioned to examine the feasibility of undertaking a survey of primary school children.
  

Research Approach

• The project has three main aims:
  • Firstly, to review recent evidence about the knowledge and prevalence of drug use and alcohol consumption amongst children of primary school age.
  • Secondly, to explores issues in the design of a study for primary school children aged 8-11 years that will elicit information covering their knowledge about alcohol and drugs.
  • Thirdly, the project considers practical and ethical issues in carrying out research into sensitive issues with children in the 8-11 years age group.
    

Main Findings

Existing Empirical Evidence on Drug and Alcohol Use Amongst 8-11 Year Old Children

• Very limited empirical evidence exists on the drug use behaviour of those aged 8-11 years. In NI this is almost non-existent.
• Much existing empirical evidence on drug use for this group records attitudinal information rather than prevalence rates. Existing prevalence rate data refers mainly to tobacco and alcohol use.
• Some studies quote retrospective data which suggests that a small number of children begin to abuse substances between the ages of 8-11 years but little more is known.
• Whilst a range of data collection approaches have been developed for research with 8-11 year olds, questionnaire surveys remain the most popular method.

Surveying 8-11 Year Old Children on Drug and Alcohol Use

• In all stages of the design of the research, the cognitive development of children aged 8-11 years should be taken into consideration.
• Two possible research approaches, questionnaires and the Draw and Write technique, are suggested for the proposed research.
• An essential stage in all empirical research is the pilot. This is particularly crucial for the proposed research due to the limited empirical base upon which the researchers can draw.
• It is suggested that data collection be undertaken within the school and should involve all children within the 8-11 years age group for whom consent to participate is obtained.
• A sampling strategy that includes children from all types of school management systems in NI should be developed.

Practical and Ethical Considerations for Undertaking A Survey with Primary School Children

• A strategy for contacting schools should be developed starting with an approach to each school principal.
• Parental/guardian consent must be obtained from all participating children.
• Children must have the importance of confidentiality explained to them and assured of this as part of their participation in the survey.
• Respects for the rights and dignity of the children participating in the survey must be assured at all times.
• The development of a school information pack would assist researchers from the point of contact with schools through to completion of data collection.

Conclusions/Recommendations

• A small scale study of 8-11 year old school children to be undertaken in which a small number of children complete a questionnaire and the others, the Draw and Write technique.
• The study should include measurement of prevalence and attitudinal data in relation to substance use for tobacco, alcohol, and to consider the inclusion of questions in relation to solvent abuse and the use of cannabis.
• The outcome of this can then inform DAIRU of the feasibility of a large-scale survey.