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

From much of the discourse, it appears that favorite places for the consumption of drugs were at
parties, weekend street jams, at festivities such as Christmas and carnival, and also when socializing
on the block with friends.
Alcohol was perceived as the ‘fun’ drug and was mostly consumed on Saturdays (particularly in
Grenville), during Christmas and Ole Year’s night, and even more so at carnival in comparison to
marijuana that was more consumed on the block, with friends, and in the ghetto. Some identified home
as the place of use while others indicated there was no special time or place for using marijuana.
“Yes, I take alcohol because we just have it home.” [males, 17-19, out of school]
Characteristics of youth using drugs
Participants indicated that there were no distinguishing characteristics of persons who used or
consumed drugs. The rich and the poor, the well educated and uneducated, those who wore fancy
clothing and held ‘great jobs’ were all perceived as using drugs.
“I’ve been to houses where kids is so rich their father have house in every country and
you would shock to know that they do a lot of weed and they have everything you can ever
imagine. Well everybody, all the classes. No, we cannot say it is from poor people or
unfortunate people because prestige people do it to, and is like everybody doing it.”
[males and females, 17-24, in and out of school]
Poor persons were identified as being generally perceived by society as the group who used drugs only
because they are seen using and selling drugs on the streets within communities.
“Because them that does be on the street… and they does go and sell drugs, and we poor
people dressing up old and thing…because they letting down we standard.” [females, 14-
16, out of school]
The “blind set”
It was also indicated in two focus groups that there was a group referred to as the “blind set” – young
persons who did not engage in the use of drugs or submit to the negative influences of their peers and
gangs of which they were a part; they were somehow able to resist these negative influences. When
asked about the characteristics of the “blind set”, the participants stated:
“I think that they may be have good thing for the future, and probably they are educated
about the negative aspect of society, and maybe they can analyze their own problem and
look after their problem.” [males, 14-16, in school]
It was further suggested that the “blind set” may be members of religious groups that may teach and
help them resist the temptations of negative behavior.
Reasons for Drug Use
Participants identified the following as the causes for youth using drugs. These motivating forces have
been presented in the order of frequency as indicated by groups.
To relieve stress
In all ten focus group discussions, it was reported that young persons used drugs to relieve stress.
“But that (cigarettes) is the first thing young people does turn to when you stress out. We
smoking we thing when we get stressed out.” [females, 14-16, out of school]
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