Gouvernement Princier de Monaco
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News of theme "Youth"
21 April 2017 Press release

Résultats de l’enquête ESPAD 2015

The Government has just received the results of the ESPAD survey (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) that was carried out in 2015.

This survey was implemented in 1995 by the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Drugs with the support of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe.  Its aim is to collect comparable, reliable data in as many European countries as possible to provide a solid basis to help implement appropriate policies, in particular those aimed at young people.  Consumption habits for tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs are therefore measured among young European pupils who have reached their 16th year during the year of the study (*).

The study is undertaken every 4 years and makes it possible to compare the consumption habits of school children in the participating countries.  In line with the wishes of the Prince's Government, Monaco took part in April 2007, 2011 and 2015.  The Monaco Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Monaco Statistics) was involved in carrying out the survey, with the assistance of the Department of Education, Youth and Sport (DENJS), under the supervision of the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT). 

  • The conclusions of the ESPAD survey for the Principality highlight several points:
  • The indicators show a decrease in comparison with the previous survey with regard to experimentation with and the regular consumption of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis
  • Experimentation with and the use of alcohol, however, remain at relatively high levels
  • With regard to the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, the gap between girls and boys is narrower in the Principality than elsewhere in Europe
  • Cannabis is confirmed to be the main drug used among illicit substances

The downward trend observed for the three types of consumption studied, in comparison with 2011, demonstrates the effectiveness of the measures put in place and calls upon the Government to pursue and intensify its activities of all kinds in this field, which it considers fundamental.

The results are also an opportunity to highlight the fact that protecting young people is a shared concern that requires the commitment of all players, particularly parents.  The involvement of everyone - educational personnel, social educators, social workers, doctors, police officers, etc. - is essential, and informative and preventative measures and where necessary, repressive measures, must be pursued.

The Department of Interior (the Police Department and the Department of Education, Youth and Sport), the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (Department of Health Affairs) and the Department of Justice are collaborating actively and assiduously in this field.

In recent years, information campaigns and preventive measures have been strengthened, increased and supplemented by an educational component on the health risks incurred, the legal and regulatory prohibitions and the associated penal risks.

Thus, many measures, along with increased vigilance, are being implemented in schools:

- With regard to combating smoking:  

  • The participation of high schools in the "Moi(s) sans tabac" anti-smoking  campaign on World No Tobacco Day
  • Doctors taking action on the dangers of shisha pipes
  • Doctors taking action on the subject of combating smoking, among secondary school and Year 6 classes 

- Strengthening the preventative activities carried out by the CESC (Health and Citizenship Education Committee) with the participation of various stakeholders, such as psychiatrists, pulmonary specialists, dieticians, representatives of associations, etc.

- Organising a "health" day for Year 9 classes at the Collège Charles III, including workshops on addictive behaviour and the dangers of tobacco

- Repeated action by the Police Department, from Year 2 to Year 9, with regard to raising awareness of the dangers of consuming alcohol and other addictive substances, as well as the penalties incurred

- Holding interactive lectures and debates with the collaboration of psychiatrists from the Princess Grace Hospital on the dangers of alcohol and other addictive substances for secondary school pupils

- Thematic days in high schools on stress and addiction, organised by the psycho-social staff and the Community Education Association in association with the Princess Grace Hospital, the Police Department, road safety, the Parent-Teacher Association of the Principality of Monaco and various stakeholders (such as yoga teachers, dieticians, etc.)

- A reminder of the law via meetings with schoolchildren from Year 8 and a Substitute of the Public Prosecutor, accompanied by representatives of the Police Department, on the risks relating to the consumption, exchange and resale of illicit substances

- The organisation by the Department of Education, Youth and Sports of an information evening for parents of pupils on the issue of adolescence in association with the Police Department, the Princess Grace Hospital, Fight AIDS, the Department of Health Affairs and the Parent-Teacher Association of the Principality of Monaco, with the participation of all concerned

- Increased awareness-raising and monitoring activities by the Police Department among shopkeepers and operators of drinking establishment to remind them of the prohibitions with regard to the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and the penalties incurred

- Opening of the "Young Consumers" consultation at the Princess Grace Hospital

It should also be noted that the provisions of Sovereign Ordinance No. 4.387 of 9 July 2013, making the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages more restrictive, may have contributed to the positive trend of these results.

(*): The ESPAD survey takes place every four years in 35 European countries. More than a hundred thousand European minors aged 16 are interviewed under identical conditions.  This enables Monaco to be part of a scientifically validated framework, using standardised methodology, offering results comparable to those from other participating countries.

The main mission of the Pompidou Group is to contribute to the development of multidisciplinary, innovative, effective and validated knowledge-based policies within its member States to combat drug addiction. The group seeks to link policy, practice and scientific research.  It also focuses on local issues related to the implementation of anti-drug programmes.

 

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The entire ESPAD report is available on Monaco Statistics' website: www.monacostatistics.mc

  

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https://en.gouv.mc/Policy-Practice/Youth/News/ESPAD-2015