The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

Figure 6: Bar graph depicting the ratings (%) of prevention forums by participants.
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
75.0
66.7
Very
useful
18.2
8.3
Useful
16.7
3.0
Slightly
useful
Not useful
6.1 6.1
Don't
know
Drug Prevention Courses % HIV/AIDS Forum %
4.2 Focus Group Discussions
The following summarizes the responses of the 10 focus group discussions:
Defining the term “drug”
The term “drug” was generally defined by participants as being any substance that when taken into the
body modifies the manner in which the body works. Drugs were perceived by some youth as harmful
to the body and health, and also addictive.
“When I hear the word drug, I think of something that people use that is not healthy to
our body, anybody and if we abuse it can cause a negative effect on us. Once it is harmful
to the body and we know it can deteriorate our body, then it’s a drug. I also think it
affects your body and mind. It mash up your brain. It’s a mood altering chemical; alters
the way you think.” [females and males, 14-16, in and out of school and 20-24 in school]
On the other hand, other participants indicated that some drugs such as pharmaceuticals were useful
and it was the abuse of drugs that was dangerous. Still some participants defined a drug as something
that positively stimulated the mind into a state of meditation and relaxation.
“Something somebody take to feel nice and relax their mind; to refresh your memories,
take it to be cool and revise. The drug let out the real person in you.” [females 14-16 and
mixed 20-24, out of school]
Participants identified the following drugs that were used in Grenada – marijuana, cocaine, crack
cocaine, heroin, alcohol, tobacco, and hemp. They also pointed out that other local herbs such as black
sage and rosemary were also smoked.
It was noted that the majority of participants were able to differentiate legal (alcohol, cigarettes and
over the counter drugs / pharmaceuticals only for medicinal value) and illegal drugs (marijuana,
cocaine, heroin). However, a few participants expressed belief that such substances like alcohol,
cigarette and medicine were illegal drugs.
It was further noted that in four focus groups, alcohol was not mentioned as a drug and was
subsequently introduced into the discussion by the moderator.
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