Young People, Drugs, Prevention, and ICTs

Nowadays young people are growing up in a social environment in which the use of toxic substances is becoming the norm. Moreover, it has been proven that their leisure activities are frequently associated with polydrug use. On the other hand, the internet, and social networks specifically, have become another fundamental axis of their leisure and free time. Due to both factors, it is important to launch initiatives that combine prevention strategies and intervention activities, which use their own language and communication systems. This way we will increase the probability of success.What we are presenting here are the results of research carried out in the University of Murcia, in which we study and implement initiatives aimed at the prevention of drug addiction in young people based on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). We develop two lines of identical action with one core difference: one is based on the use of ICTs, and the other is based solely on the use of traditional systems (leaflets, posters, etc.). After comparing the results of participation and the qualitative assessment of the participants in the respective programs, we conclude that ICTs promote the diffusion of activities and attitudes towards a reduction in the use of toxic substances, and increase the requests for intervention to cease consumption.