Approximately 22% of high school students in Bucharest report having been offered an illicit substance in the past year, according to a study released by the 'Zi de BINE' Association, conducted by D&D Research.

The study assesses adolescents' perceptions of risk and protective factors related to substance use and provides insight into their relationships with family, school and society.

The study was conducted with a sample of 1,876 students from six high schools in Bucharest.

According to the findings, over two-thirds (71%) of students have participated in drug prevention events. However, less than half (41%) perceived these programmes as effective in preventing drug use at their age.

At the same time, students perceive alcohol (73%) and cigarettes (71%) as easy to obtain. Access to gambling (42%) and slot machines (40%) is also considered readily available.

'Approximately 22% of students report having been offered an illicit substance in the past year. In the case of serious problems, students would mainly turn to same-age friends (66%) or an adult family member (65%). Healthcare professionals are perceived in a polarising way, while school staff tend to be viewed more negatively as sources of support,' the study reveals.

Although most students report that their life is good (76%), 68% say they have felt worried, 59% tense or stressed, 46% have had trouble sleeping, and 44% have felt sad, unhappy or depressed.

Teenagers report feeling pressure to perform academically and outside of school, pressure to make the most of their free time, and pressure to make major life decisions quickly. 60% say their teachers don't care about them, and only 11% would turn to a school adult in times of need. In contrast, peer support is seen as helpful, though limited by confidentiality and emotional maturity.

The 'Zi de BINE' Association on Friday launched the first edition of the national conference 'Addictions and Adolescents,' which focused exclusively on drug and substance use among teenagers. The two-day conference offers an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, bringing together 200 experts in mental health, education, psychology, along with authorities, teachers and students.

'Through this conference, we aim to build on the lessons learned from the projects we have developed in the community and to contribute to shaping a coherent national strategy to support vulnerable adolescents and their families. Through projects like CREAATiV - the first public residential services programme for minors with addictions - and KIT- the first peer-to-peer education project for mental health and prevention in high schools - we have discovered how vital an integrated medical-psycho-social intervention is, bringing together specialists, families and communities,' said Melania Medeleanu and Luciana Zaharia, founders of the 'Zi de BINE' Association.

The conference continues on Saturday, June 7, when over 170 psychologists, addiction counselors and social workers from across the country will attend an initial training session on addiction treatment and prevention. By the end of the year, they aim to form the first national support network for teenagers with addictions and their families. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Roberto Stan; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)