Exploring Young People's Involvement in Drug Markets in NI

本研究项目探讨影响个人，社会和结构环境，影响年轻人参与毒品市场的NI的因素。最近的研究估计，成千上万的年轻人参与了英国各地的非法毒品分销。这些年轻人面临着被剥削、非法移民、严重暴力和滥用毒品的风险。在北方爱尔兰，关于年轻人参与低级非法毒品分销的研究有限。由于准军事组织的控制和参与，加上冲突后的过渡性质，毒品分销在北爱尔兰是一个重大问题，但研究有限。在这方面，本研究报告旨在全面和独到地了解青年人参与低级毒品市场的情况以及准军事组织对这一重要问题的影响。该研究将采用风险环境框架，以了解环境影响对年轻人参与低级毒品市场的影响。该项目还将考虑当代干预战略的有效性，以及如何改善政策和做法，以满足这些young.The研究采用了三个阶段的定性方法：与从业人员的访谈;从业人员的观察;和半结构化的采访与年轻人以前或目前参与低层次的药物分配。与圣彼得Immaculata青年中心的独特合作将为参与者提供机会。与该组织的非参与者观察将有助于了解在北爱尔兰从事低水平药物分销的动机以及干预措施如何针对这一问题。访谈将提供对他们的经历以及服务如何以及应该如何应对这一问题的深入理解和知识。研究结果将提供原创和深刻的知识，为在地方、国家和国际各级参与低水平药物分配的年轻人提供药物政策、做法和服务。重要的是，研究结果也将有助于对冲突后社会中独特的风险环境影响的理论理解，并为未来的研究提供建议。

This research project examines factors affecting the individual, social and structural environments which influence young people's participation in drug markets in NI. Recent research estimates tens of thousands of young people are involved in illegal drug distribution across the United Kingdom (UK). These young people are at risk of exploitation, victimisation, serious violence and problematic drug use. In Northern Ireland, the research on young people's involvement in low-level illegal drug distribution is limited. Drug distribution presents a significant problem in NI due to paramilitary control and involvement combined with the post-conflict, transitional nature of NI, yet limited research exists. In this context, the study aims to provide comprehensive and original insight into young people's participation in low-level drug markets and the impact of paramilitarism on this important issue. The study will apply a risk environment framework to understand environmental influences shaping young people's involvement in low level drug markets. This project will also consider the effectiveness of contemporary intervention strategies, in addition to how policy and practice can be improved to meet the needs of these young people.The research uses a three-staged qualitative methodology: interviews with practitioners; observations of practitioners; and semi-structured interviews with young people previously or currently involved in low level drug distribution. The unique collaboration with St. Peters Immaculata Youth Centre will provide access to participants. Non-participant observations with this organisation will provide understanding of motivations for engaging in low-level drug distribution in NI and how interventions are targeting this issue. Interviews will provide deep understanding and knowledge of their experiences and how services do and should respond to this issue. Research findings will provide original and insightful knowledge which will inform drug policy, practice and service provision for young people participating in low level drug distribution at a local, national and international level. Importantly, findings will also contribute towards theoretical understanding of the unique risk environment influences presented within post conflict societies and provide recommendations for future research.