Frankie's Town teenagers are cutting back on booze, cigarettes, and weed, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Drug Research at Frankfurt's Goethe University. Green party Frankfurt health department head, Elke Voitl, attributed this shift to the rollercoaster ride of the coronavirus period. The study unveiled that 46% of youngsters had sipped some hooch in the past month, hitting the lowest mark since this study's inception, save for the covid year 2020. The consumption of traditional smokes, shisha, and illicit substances like ecstasy, speed, and cocaine saw a significant decrease.
On the rise, however, was the demand for alternative products like e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters. 27% of youngsters in this survey confessed to vaping every 30 days, while 9% turned to these alternatives daily. Chewing bags and nicotine pouches, small pouches placed under the upper lip, have sparked a new trend. 15% of the respondents had given these mouthfuls a try, often filled with nicotine. Nitrous oxide maintained its popularity, with 17% reporting consumption, up from the previous year's 13%.
Unfortunately, this joyous news was accompanied by a heads-up on mental health issues. The survey disclosed that 26% of 15-18-year-olds in Frankfurt had grappled with significant mental health problems in the past 12 months. According to the study, depressive moods and depression were the most frequent issues mentioned.
The research took place in Frankfurt's schools from November 2022 to February 2023, totaling 1446 participants. The Centre for Drug Research reported that these results were representative, displaying minor differences from other notable German cities.
Frankfurt's drug scene, located in the German state of Hesse, has been under the microscope when it comes to substance consumption trends.
Enrichment Data: According to an additional study, the Centre for Drug Research's "Monitoring System Drug Trends" (MoSyD) research, 14% of 15-18-year-old Frankfurt participants reported trying laughing gas (nitrous oxide) at least once.[1] This data highlights the need to pay close attention to the use of laughing gas and its associated health hazards, such as nerve damage and psychological dependence, especially when used with other substances, like alcohol or cannabis.[1] The ease of obtaining laughing gas, its short-lived high, and its undetectable nature contribute to its appeal.[1]
