Introduction
This report explores the intricate relationship between economic recessions and illicit drug use through an in-depth scoping review of the literature. Unravelling complexities among demographics and drug types, this analysis sheds light on potential impacts of economic downturns, suggesting that young and already socioeconomically vulnerable population groups appear to be most affected during economic downturns. Among young adults, several studies indicate that the use of cannabis may increase during economic downturns. In addition, there are indications that transitioning to more problematic patterns of drug use, such as from smoking or snorting to injecting, may also increase during times of economic turmoil.
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Table of contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Economic recessions and drug use: a complex relationship
- Methodological approach
- Search strategy
- Study selection and inclusion criteria
- Limitations
- Search results
- Study characteristics
- Results from the scoping review: age groups and drugs of use
- Results by age group
- Teenagers and young adults
- Adult population
- Results by drug types
- Cannabis
- Opioids
- Cocaine and ecstasy
- Results by age group
- Discussion
- Opportunities and challenges of using unemployment as an indicator of economic activity
- Importance of remaining vigilant: the impact of recessions on youth substance use behaviours
- Importance of studying drug use patterns and price elasticities
- Riskier patterns of drug use appear to become more frequent
- Limitations and methodological challenges of the scoping review
- Conclusion
- References
- Appendix
Pages:
60
ISBN:
9789294979544
Pub. DOI:
10.2810/134325
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