P0014 - The typical circumstances surrounding initial drug use in young people in Tehran

Abstract

The Asian Harm Reduction Network embarked upon a multi-site research conducted in four countries in Asia including Iran to gain insight in drug careers of young people and the impact of the environment. This article is the abridged synthesis of Tehran research report on description of the typical circumstances surrounding initial drug use in young people.

It was a qualitative research whose data were gathered through analysis of existing data; interviews with key informants; focus group discussions with family members, PUD (Person using drugs), service providers, policy makers, law enforcement officers; and a quantitative survey with 281 PUDs.

Curiosity, peer pressure and acceptance among friends are the most important factors that drive initiation. Having friends who use drugs is an important factor during the initiation stage. Mostly, the drug is given for free by friends and taking drugs is done with some good friends during initiation, as well as afterwards. The initial stage of one's drug use tends to be without any serious adverse effects or problems. Problems usually start -or become more serious- when dependency develops and money becomes an issue, which, in turn, can lead to criminal behavior. Financial consequences of one's drug use are often mentioned as the core problem. As expected, problems tended to become more pronounced, when people had switched towards injecting or towards an opiate.

Development community-building activities towards early detection of drug use might help young people not to continue their drug use.