Drug use is a cause of health and social problems in the UK. Despite widespread interest in whole-school interventions, which make changes to school socio-environmental factors in order to reduce young people's drug use, the evidence-base regarding 'school effects' on drug use had not previously been synthesised, and the basis for these potential effects only partly theorised. This thesis examines whether and how schools as institutions can influence young people's attitudes and actions relating to drug use and generate new theoretical insights regarding the processes through which any school effects on students' drug use may occur.

Section 1- Literature review Young adults in drug treatment have predominantly been heroin users, many with mental health problems. (1) Young adulthood is a distinct developmental period. It encompasses transisitons to adulthood that are now more difficult to negotiate than in the past and may be disrupted by dependent heroin use; (2) Mental health problems are common amongst those in drug treatment but few studies report separate young adult results; (3) Models including the use of drugs to regulate uncomfortable mood states are reviewed as possible explanations for the relationship between substance misuse and mental health problems. In conclusion, more research is needed on the effect of substance misuse on the transition to adulthood and the relevance of self regulation of affect to young adults in drug treatment. Section 2- Research report Relationships were explored between mental health problems and perceived functions for using heroin, crack cocaine, alcohol and cannabis. Participants were fifty-one young adults in drug treatment aged 16-25 years, 96% were opiate users. Questionnaire measures included: Substance use history; negative mood functions/social functions of past year use of heroin, crack cocaine, alcohol and cannabis; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Clinically significant mental health problems were common (anxiety 47%; depression 24%). Heroin was most often taken to block out negative mood states and such use showed a statistically significant relationship with anxiety and depression. Use of alcohol to alleviate negative mood showed a significant relationship with anxiety but not depression. These relationships were primarily explained by the pharmacological effects of each substance with heroin particularly effective at reducing awareness of uncomfortable mood states. Drug treatment interventions therefore need to address young adult mental health problems and the relationships between mental health and functions of use. Section 3- Critical Appraisal Reflections on the process of conducting the literature review and research report.

The thesis is a study of illicit drug use and attitudes to drugs education amongst young people from different socio-economic backgrounds. The thesis reviews the existing literature and finds that there may be a link between poverty and drug use that hasn't been fully explored and that there has been a lack of attention to young people's perspectives and views on drug use. The findings are reported of an empirical research project that consisted of quantitative and qualitative research with 206 young people in five different settings: at university, in a youth club, in schools, in a pupil referral unit, and service for young offenders. The data from these different sources are analysed and a conceptual model has been developed, setting out some factors that are indicative of problematic or non-problematic drug use. The model was circulated amongst a small group of professionals in relevant fields for comment. The thesis concludes that young people in university settings reported using illicit drugs recreationally and apparently without problems, while the 'vulnerable' young people reported using more drugs, at an earlier age, and more frequently, and for reasons to do with boredom, depression and anxiety. The author suggests that 'vulnerable' young people are disadvantaged by their circumstances at home, including social deprivation and parental separation, and their lack of engagement with education. It is argued that health promotion models need to recognise the importance of contextual and broader structural factors influencing drug use among young people, and that health promotion efforts need to play a role in tackling inequalities and reducing deprivation, as well as making health promotion messages relevant to their target audience.

The "Dancing with Change" Programme (DWCP) is an ecosystemically informed substance abuse intervention programme that was developed by the participants and myself with the aim of building resilience towards substance abuse among youth. The DWCP was conducted in the school setting, with ten volunteer Grade 7 learners over a ten-week period for an hour a week. The learners' parents participated in an initial needs assessment and in a feedback session at the end of DWCP, together with the life skills teacher and headmaster who observed and contributed to the process. An independent observer, present at each session, served to increase the dependability and confirmability of the evaluation findings. The DWCP appeared to have achieved its goals as defined by the participants. The evaluation findings are presented as a guide for people working in the field of adolescent substance abuse that synthesises best practice and lessons learnt in the field. / Psychology / M.A.(Clinical Psychology)

The "Dancing with Change" Programme (DWCP) is an ecosystemically informed substance abuse intervention programme that was developed by the participants and myself with the aim of building resilience towards substance abuse among youth. The DWCP was conducted in the school setting, with ten volunteer Grade 7 learners over a ten-week period for an hour a week. The learners' parents participated in an initial needs assessment and in a feedback session at the end of DWCP, together with the life skills teacher and headmaster who observed and contributed to the process. An independent observer, present at each session, served to increase the dependability and confirmability of the evaluation findings. The DWCP appeared to have achieved its goals as defined by the participants. The evaluation findings are presented as a guide for people working in the field of adolescent substance abuse that synthesises best practice and lessons learnt in the field. / Psychology / M.A.(Clinical Psychology)