Call for secondary schools to take part in survey of young people’s smoking, drinking and drug use.



Secondary schools across England are being asked to volunteer to take part in a statistical survey that will act as a barometer for young people’s alcohol, nicotine and drug use.

Smoking Drinking and Drug Use among young people in England,2 is carried out under exam conditions in selected schools and pupils do not write their names on the questionnaires. It is one of the longest running national surveys targeting 11 to 15-year-olds and began in 1982. The survey results have been used by the government to monitor trends and behaviours and gain a better understanding of the impact of alcohol, nicotine and drugs on children.

The 2018 report will be published by NHS Digital next year and is accredited with National Statistics3 status, while the survey itself will be carried out by Ipsos MORI4.

It will include information on the percentage of pupils who have ever smoked, drunk alcohol or taken drugs. The report also surveys the attitudes and behaviours of secondary school pupils towards smoking, drinking and drugs and is analysed in relation to a range of demographics including age, gender, ethnicity and geography.

Paul Niblett, NHS Digital responsible statistician, said: “Only a small time commitment is required from schools - typically one lesson period for three class groups per school. Parents are also contacted beforehand to make sure they are happy for their child to take part.

“We greatly value the input of the pupils who take part in the survey and rely on the support of participating secondary schools to produce this unique and valuable report.â€

More information about the SDD survey can be found on the NHS Digital website.

How the survey works

Approximately 500 schools are selected across England and invited to take part in the survey in the autumn term.
Selected schools are sent a letter and participation form, then later contacted by Ipsos MORI and NFER to organise appointments.
In each participating school, three class groups are selected at random to take part. Letters about the survey are given to selected pupils to take home or sent to the parents.
Survey takes place during one school period, under exam conditions, before the Christmas holidays. Ipsos MORI interviewers attend each class session to introduce the survey and supervise its completion.
Survey data is analysed to produce the report which is released by NHS Digital in the summer.