Construction industry apprentices’ substance use: A survey of prevalence rates, reasons for use, and regional and age differences

This study examined prevalence rates and reasons for use among a sample of construction industry apprentices. Construction industry apprentices are predominantly young men and this sample had a mean age of 20 years. The study notes comparable results between the 172 apprentices' substance experimentation/use, and men in similar age groups in Victoria. Regional and age differences were also explored in the study. Findings indicate that more metropolitan apprentices had experimented with cannabis, amphetamines and cocaine than their rural/regional counterparts. However, more rural apprentices indicated consuming alcohol than their metropolitan counterparts. Apart from alcohol use, older apprentices (aged 20 years and over) were also more likely to have used cannabis, amphetamines and cocaine than younger apprentices (aged 15–19 years). The majority of apprentices used substances for enjoyment (“It is fun/I like it”) or social reasons (“Friends use it”). The findings are discussed in the context of the literature, and suggestions for future research are mad