Teenage Substance Use in Oxford

Oxford, despite its historic status and academic prestige, now grapples with a worrying problem that transcends the city's quaint reputation - the growing challenge of teenage drug use. As the city grows, so does the presence and accessibility of new and unknown substances, many of which are far more dangerous than the majority of previously recognized drugs which are harvested from plants. The growth of the teenage drug problem calls for a collective effort from family, teachers, and policymakers to confront the causes and devise proactive solutions.

The conundrum of teenage drug usage in and around Oxford mirrors wider societal issues. Factors such as social media, mental health struggles, academic pressure, and easy access to substances all contribute to the increased drug usage of adolescents. The high academic expectations and the pressures of adolescence can easily forge an environment where teenagers turn to drugs as both a coping mechanism and an escape. 

As the use of social media increases, so does the pressure on teenagers to live life with the same excitement as their peers. The constant flow of comparisons between yourself and others can cause strong feelings of insecurity and inferiority. Not only can these feelings eventually manifest themselves in drug usage but the fear of missing out also builds pressure on adolescents to take recreational drugs. 

This pressure only builds during important moments during teenagers’ times at school and such alongside the pressures of GCSE and A-Level examinations. In an article by Max Long for cherwell.org, it was found that among the population of Oxford University, 54% of students had recently used tobacco which is higher than the percentage throughout the entirety of Oxford! It was also found that over a third of the students who answered the survey admitted to using marijuana or hashish and 22% admitted to MDMA use. A shocking 11% of respondents claimed to have done cocaine in the last year, proving that these drugs are becoming increasingly normalised among young communities. 18 of these even admitted to using heroin. 

The recent spread of newly developed drugs also have had a damaging impact on the young population in Oxford. New drugs being brought to England from countries such as the United States have led to a much more complex net of drugs available to teenagers as well as increasing their accessibility and normalising drug usage. These newer formulas are chemically engineered rather than being grown from natural resources like heroin or cannabis are. 

One fundamental aspect of battling this issue is working hard to build trustful and honest relationships within which minors feel safe and supported when speaking about their experiences of substance use. Parents, guardians, and educators play a pivotal role in creating a nurturing environment where teenagers feel comfortable discussing these challenges that will almost certainly be presented to them at some point within their adolescence. Nurturing supportive communication channels and helpful programmes with the individual at the centre of them, can help to dismantle the damaging taboo surrounding drug-related issues, guiding intervention and support rather than ostracising and further damaging the user.