Gambling disorders and the harm associated with them are internationally recognised as a growing public health problem, which may be of an economic, social, physical or mental health nature, and which not only affects the person who gambles, but their family and society in general.

According to the survey on risk factors in secondary schooling 2021, compiled by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB), gambling starts at the age of 14. Some 7.9% of students between their second and fourth year of secondary school, second year of baccalaureate studies and vocational training courses have bet money in the last year, while 7.4% have done so online. According to these results, some 3.4% of all students between the ages of 13 and 19 potentially have a gambling pathology.

The Action Plan on Drugs and Addictions includes the creation of a school programme aimed at students in their fourth year of secondary school, to prevent gambling and videogaming. A guide will also be created for families and a media campaign designed to raise awareness on the issue.

Alcohol as the substance consumed the most

Alcohol is the substance consumed the most among young people in Barcelona. Alcohol is the most common substance to be consumed by secondary school students between 13 and 19, followed by tobacco and cannabis. Consumption of these three substances among the student population goes up in line with their age and is very similar between the sexes.

Alcohol is the substance which accounts for the most treatments started for drug consumption in the city among men and women alike. In 2020 alone, treatment was started in 3,671 cases at support and monitoring centres (CAS) belonging to the city’s public network.

To tackle this problem, the various measures in the plan include strengthening preventive action in schools, providing a new impetus for prevention programmes in vulnerable neighbourhoods and working to comply with regulations on the sale of alcohol to minors.

Cannabis as the least-consumed illegal drug

The survey by the ASPB shows that the percentages for cannabis consumption are similar between sexes, with consumption slightly higher among girls between their second and fourth years of secondary school, and among boys on baccalaureate courses and vocational training. The plan includes action to tackle cannabis use, with new measures such as the creation of an observatory with the presence of organisations to ensure that information and advice on risks are provided by professionals.

Over thirty years of policies to combat additions

November’s full council meeting unanimously approved the tenth plan on drugs in the city, which guarantees the continuity of nearly 35 years of municipal policies to combat addictions