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Societal Change
The perception of cannabis has changed – from a criminal matter to a public health issue. The focus is increasingly on education rather than repression, so that young people can make informed choices in the face of the increasing availability of cannabis.
→ Minimise health risks
Data from the HBSC study
The HBSC study found that cannabis use among young people rose from 11% in 2006 to 15% in 2022. While cannabis use among boys remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2022 (from 14% to 17%), there was a significant increase among girls (from 8% to 14%). The observed increase in cannabis use is therefore primarily due to increased use among girls.
These findings reflect changes in cannabis use and indicate shifts in social norms regarding drug use and gender roles.
Cause for Concern
Adolescents and young adults are particularly at risk of having their cognitive, emotional, and social capacities, and also their mental and physical health negatively affected by the use of cannabis and other psychoactive substances. This is because throughout youth they are still developing biologically and psychologically.
Testing Limits in Youth
Adolescents and young adults develop their autonomy, their identity, and their attitudes towards societal norms during adolescence. To achieve this, they have to test their limits and question rules.
For some young people, this experimental tendency in youth goes hand in hand with the use of cannabis.
About the exhibition
This contribution was created as part of the exhibition “Jonk sinn. Momenter vu Jugendkultur“ Being young. Moments of youth culture) and was developed by researchers from the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research (CCY). The exhibition was curated by Luc Spada, the visual design is the work of Laura Deitz. The scientific communication concept was developed by Moritz Höpner and implemented in collaboration with the researchers at the CCY. The exhibition was created on the initiative of the Service national de la jeunesse (SNJ) as part of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of Europe 2024/2025. The exhibition can be seen at the Mierscher Theater from 24/02/2025 to 14/07/2025.
