Perception and opinion of adolescents in the Val Miñor area regarding intoxicant consumption and other addictive behaviours: study with nominal groups.

Abstract

Title: perception and opinion of adolescents in the Val Miñor area regarding intoxicant consumption and other addictive behaviours: study with nominal groups.

Objective: know the opinion of a group of adolescents in Val Miñor area about the use of drugs and other addictive behaviours.

Design: qualitative sociological study based on the search for consensus with nominal groups.

Location: public high schools in the Val Miñor area.

Method/measurement: the exercise conducted with the students was based on the methodology “see, think, ask”, which is made up of the following sections: observation of images related to the subject, reflection, detection of problems, proposing solutions and finally voting on the most important improvement proposals.

Results: among the main problems detected, they mention the easy access to alcohol and other drugs, the need to consume to be accepted, the lack of self control, as well as the lack of information given to the population. Regarding the adolescents’ proposed solutions, they highlight developing health education, physical and mental health to be able to confront peer pressure from early ages.

Conclusions: we can highlight the importance of  maximising self esteem from an early age, instilling a sense of responsibility in adolescents as well as the early acquisition of responsibilities and decision making. As a society we should avoid the normalisation of alcohol consumption, and also promote the organising of healthy leisure activities with their focus on adolescents.

Key words: adolescents, addiction, drugs.