Young people in Pembrokeshire recently took part in an online survey of their views and experiences of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The Viewpoint survey was delivered in schools, youth clubs and the youth offending team.
1,565 of Pembrokeshire young people answered the questionnaire with all of the secondary schools taking part. The survey explored whether young people had received substance misuse education, how they rated the content of that and method of their substance misuse education.
The majority of young people were satisfied with their substance misuse education with 45% saying they felt it was 'very good'. Young people reported although they had received some form of substance misuse education in primary school they thought more information could be provided at a younger age, with most of Pembrokeshire's young people taking part stating this should start during Year 5. Young people were keen to have more substance misuse education provided through theatre/drama in addition to web-based education.
Anna Bird, Head of Partnership Development - Vulnerable Children & Families with Hywel Dda Health Board commented, "We have seen a fantastic response from young people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire with young people providing us with information on their views in relation to drugs, alcohol and tobacco and also how they view their substance misuse education. The information gained from the survey will be able to help us to consider how to improve substance misuse education both in and out of the school setting and also specialist services."
Rose Davis, Pembrokeshire Youth Information Team added, "We look forward to working with schools across Pembrokeshire to explore ways of how young people's views on their substance misuse education can be included to existing provision."
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