There is a wide range of factors and circumstances to be considered when trying to understand why people start taking drugs. The stresses of adult lives, with careers, children and money issues are some of the reasons why adults may turn to drugs as an escape or an emotional crutch. Children as young as 11 years old are beginning to also turn to drugs, but for perhaps different reasons. There are approximately 3.1 million 11 - 15 year olds in England. According to an NHS survey, 640,000 of them have drunk alcohol in the past 7 days, 300,000 have taken drugs within the last month and 200,000 are regular smokers (NHS information centre, 2007). This shows that alcohol is the most common drug used by secondary school pupils, and the most socially acceptable.

Alcohol is introduced to children at a very young age. If not by their parents, then by a television advert or a poster in the local shop. Alcohol is viewed as a celebratory beverage, and the fact that children are not supposed to consume it, makes it even more exciting and exotic through young people’s eyes. There have been many attempts to cut down the numbers of underage drinkers. Putting an age limit of 18 for purchasing alcohol is one of these attempts, but this does not stop young children getting access to it.

Some families also voluntarily introduce alcohol to children, with the hope that this will take away the mysteriousness of it. These attempts could actually be doing the opposite, and by restricting alcohol, or making it readily available, they could be encouraging children instead of off-putting them. Smoking between the ages of 11 - 15, has declined in recent years. In 1982, approximately 53% of young children had tried smoking, compared to the 33% in 2007 (NHS information centre, 2007). This could be due to the rise in education about the disadvantages of smoking. Adverts and posters have been widely publicized, explaining the health issues and making it less appealing.

Signs and pictures have also been printed on the product itself, discouraging people to smoke rather than influencing them. The most common drug taken by young people is cannabis. It is more accessible and socially acceptable to young people than any other drug, with up to a quarter of 16 - 29 year olds regularly smoking it (Mind Information Booklet, 2009). Attempts to reduce this are also being put into place. Cannabis has been changed from a Class C drug to a Class B. This now means the penalties of having or selling the drug is significantly higher, maximum penalties being 5 years imprisonment for possession, and 14 years imprisonment for supplying. Even though there is still a high number of young children consuming drugs every year, changes are being put into place to reduce the numbers.

Charities and organisations, such as Frank, Positive Futures and the drug education research programme, Blueprint, are expanding, to help raise further awareness and continue to try and help young people over come their problems.