In my thesis I researched the prevalence and trends of new psychoactive
substance (NPS) use among young people. In the theoretical part I described why
young people are at higher risk of drug use, defined the term of recreational use,
and explained what novel psychoactive substances are. I described each group of
NPS in more detail in terms of their effects on psychophysical well-being and
touched upon the NPS detected in Slovenia. I concluded the theoretical part with
the concept of harm reduction and a social-work perspective on it. The research is
qualitative. I collected data by questionnaire method. The measuring instrument
used is the interview guidelines, which consisted of 14 open and semi-open
questions. The population consisted of adolescents who have been using NPS
recreationally for at least one year. I used non-random and convenience sampling
and the sample consists of 8 units. I analysed the data qualitatively, using open,
axial and relational coding. The results showed that adolescents mostly come into
contact with NPS through friends and acquaintances at parties, with curiosity being
the most common reason for first use. Other reasons for use included availability of
NPS at parties, and the desire to get high and relax. Most interviewees get NPS from
local dealers, but some also get them through friends or order them over the internet.
NPS are mainly used at parties with electronic music, or at private gatherings with
friends or acquaintances. As regards recreational use, interviewees use NPS a few
times a year. Under the influence in a domestic environment, interviewees report
higher doses of the drug used compared to use in public places. While positive
effects were cited as a different psycho-physical state and help with socialisation,
negative effects of the new synthetic drugs were physical effects such as exhaustion,
muscle cramps, hot sensation, burning sensation when ingested, physical ill-being
and increased heart rate. And psychological effects such as guilt, irritability, panic
and moral dilemmas. The most frequently mentioned negative effect was the desire
to use the drug again. I suggest that the DrogArt, local harm reduction non-profit
organisation, expands its guidelines on the use of NPS. I propose the creation of a
Slovenian forum for sharing first-hand experiences of NPS among drug users. For
social workers in professions where they come into contact with drug users, I
propose training on new synthetic drugs. I also suggest that research into the
personal experiences of users of new synthetic drugs should continue, as there are
very few of them in Slovenia.
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