Background
Methods
Recruitment and sample
Age | ||
Median | 20 | |
Range | 16–24 | |
N | % | |
Males | 42 | 50.6 |
Geographical distribution | ||
- North of West Bank | 21 | 25.3 |
- Middle of West Bank | 18 | 21.7 |
- South of West Bank | 18 | 21.7 |
- East Jerusalem | 26 | 31.3 |
Type of residency | ||
- Urban | 30 | 36.2 |
- Rural | 26 | 31.3 |
- Camp | 27 | 32.5 |
Highest level of education | ||
- Less than high school | 21 | 25.3 |
- High school | 10 | 12.0 |
- College | 31 | 37.4 |
- University | 21 | 25.3 |
Employment status | ||
- Employed | 12 | 14.4 |
- Unemployed | 20 | 24.2 |
- Student | 51 | 61.4 |
Focus group and interview procedures
Qualitative Analysis
Results
Alcohol
Patterns and perceived prevalence of alcohol use
“It has become normal in every place.” [21 year old woman, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“In weddings, people drink a lot; some even faint from excessive drinking.” [24 year old woman, West Bank city, interview]
“In parties, young men get drunk and dance in a funny way.” [23 year old woman, West Bank city, interview]
“We drink moderately, we do not abuse alcohol so that we will not get drunk and our families notice and find out that we drink.” [19 year old women, West Bank city, interview]
“Thursdays’ nightlife is like a prayer (it is a must).” [A woman over the age of 19, West Bank camp, focus group]
“There are used clothing suppliers who bring clothes from Israel. They smuggle beverages between the clothes into Palestinian Authority areas.” [A man over the age of 19, West Bank village, focus group]
“After 9:00 pm, the coffee shops in Ramallah turn into bars and everybody speaks English…” [21 year old woman, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“I drink with friends in private settings every other week, usually on Thursdays or Fridays. I drink with my friends in their houses when the parents are away; I do not drink in restaurants or coffee shops. But when I go to Jordan I drink in discos and pubs.” [19 year old woman, West Bank city, interview]
“Some mix the alcoholic drink in the XL can or in a juice can and drink it in the club so the people around them will not know that they are drinking.” [18 year old man, West Bank city, interview]
“There were young people with me at university who used to drink in a secret way. They put the alcohol into a coca cola or a juice can and used to drink all day.” [19 year old man, West Bank camp, interview]
Illicit Drug Use
Perceived prevalence and patterns of drug use
“Yes, drugs are increasing …drug abuse takes place in any location, at evening parties. It is easier to get than a pack of cigarettes.” [17 year old man, East Jerusalem, focus group]
Some even believe that drugs are affordable and cheaper than alcoholic drinks.
“At first, drug dealers sell them for a ridiculously cheap amount: only $2.5.” [A woman over the age of 18, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“Alcohol costs about $13 to $18 per person, whereas you could buy drugs for you and your friends for $13. That could make five or seven cigarettes; each person could roll them as they want, then they could take a puff or two.” [24 year old woman, East Jerusalem, interview]
“Sure, there are differences; the percentage of male users exceeds that of females. Guys can stay out for extended periods of time and are free to go anywhere.” [24 year old woman, West Bank city, focus group]
“I used ecstasy. It made me hallucinate and I used to see all the people looking like animals to me. I was always in a good mood. I used to take a pill or two in a week, either with my friends or when I went out at night.” [22 year old man, West Bank city, interview]
“Many young people in East Jerusalem secretly use ecstasy; I used it once in a party. I fell unconscious 1 hour after using it.” [24 year old man, East Jerusalem, interview]
“The main sources are Israeli. Israel gives drugs to collaborators, who distribute it to young Palestinians.” [23 year old woman, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“The majority of drugs come from Israel. I know guys from the West Bank who work in Israel and got seeds to sell to others in the West Bank.” [A woman over the age of 20, West Bank city, focus group]
“It is easier to get than a pack of cigarettes…” [A man over 19 years of age, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“It is easier to buy drugs in Jerusalem than in the West Bank; one third of drug dealers are found in the old city of Jerusalem.” [A man over the age of 20, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“Drugs are easily circulated everywhere, even in schools: in the street, in certain supermarkets, and in the Nescafe, cappuccino and chocolate stalls in Jerusalem. The man who sells falafel in our neighborhood also sells drugs.” [A man below the age of 20, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“Some people put spices or a drug on the water pipe and it acts as a drug.” [A 23 year old woman, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“The experience begins with a group of friends, and then the individual starts to use drugs alone.” [A woman over the age of 20, West Bank camp, focus group]
“In my university days, I used to meet girls who would use drugs in the form of pills in the rest rooms.” [24 year old woman, West Bank city, focus group]
“Youth use drugs in abandoned old houses, in public rest rooms, and on trips.” [19 year old woman, West Bank camp, interview]
“They use drugs on the outskirts of Jerusalem in refugee camps.” [A woman over the age of 18, West Bank village, focus group]
“Sometimes I use drugs in the university dorm and on university field trips. I also used them in parties and once in a wedding; the people there wanted to do us a favor.” [24 year old man, Jerusalem, interview]
“Drugs are more common in Jerusalem than in the rest of the West Bank. In our area, there are many parks and forests. Nobody enters the area in the evening because it is known that drug users are gathered there at this time.” [21 year old woman, Jerusalem, focus group]
Perceived causes of alcohol and drug use among Palestinian youth
“Alcohol may affect my health, but it is better to die this way rather than to die with many worries in a heart attack. In either case, I am dead, so I may as well have fun and forget my worries.” [22 year old man, West Bank city, interview]
“Everyone in the camp drinks: both children and men. They drink to feel better and have fun.” [19 year old woman, West Bank camp, interview]
“No one who drinks is unaware of the health hazards, but forbidden fruit is sweet.” [A man over the age of 19, Jerusalem, focus group]
“I know about alcohol from watching Turkish [TV] series; they show that whoever drinks has prestige.” [A woman over the age of 19, West Bank city, focus group]
“Too many worries force youth to use drugs.” [A man under the age of 20, West Bank village, focus group]
“Young men take drugs because they want to get high; they want to feel good for a while, and there is nothing else to make them feel good.” [19 year old woman, West Bank city, interview]
“Yes, drugs are increasing and are promoted by the occupation.” [A man over the age of 20, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“The Israeli occupation helps the spread of drugs to a large extent and drugs are available in significant quantities.” [A man below the age of 20, West Bank city, focus group]
“Drug addicts in Jerusalem receive an allowance from the Israeli National Insurance as long as they are on drugs. It is easier to take an allowance from the National Insurance than to work.” [A man over the age of 19, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“Young people are lost; they face neglect, indifference and lack of awareness.” [23 year old woman, East Jerusalem, focus group]
“Neglect by parents and the need to fill the time because nobody cares lead to drug use.” [A woman over the age of 19, West Bank, focus group]
Access to rehabilitation and counseling services
“Palestinian youth often fail to get any support.” [A woman over the age of 19, West Bank city, focus group]
“There are institutions, but they are not reliable; they inform parents about the subject in hand.” [A woman over the age of 19, West Bank village, focus group]
“There are no specialized bodies. Even if they do exist, they carry out projects and leave.” [A woman over the age of 18, Jerusalem, focus group]
“Institutions in Jerusalem are weak and ineffective.” [A man over the age of 19, Jerusalem, focus group]
“Even if there are parties that provide assistance, addicts refrain from seeking help for their situation because they feel ashamed.” [A woman over the age of 18, Jerusalem, focus group]