Concern about teen substance use as latest survey released

Around 42 per cent of 15 to 16 year olds in Cavan and Monaghan have been drunk in their lifetime; while almost one in ten have tried cannabis.

The Anglo-Celt has been given exclusive access to the latest survey of students in this region, which shows a worrying trend in substance use.

The Planet Youth survey was conducted in every school and YouthReach centre in both counties in 2025 to be answered by children aged between 15 and 16 years. The uptake was 90% of the eligible cohort.

The findings of the third bi-annual Planet Youth survey will be officially launched in Monaghan Town tomorrow (Friday).

A quarter of teenagers who completed the survey in both counties had tried alcohol before they were aged 13 years.

When asked about vapes, the survey did not differentiate between nicotine vapes or those containing synthetic cannabinoids like hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which has the same effect as cannabis.

Both are illegal since it is illegal for under 18s to purchase nicotine vapes and HHC was banned in Ireland last year for its negative effects on users.

“I received three referrals this morning and they were all for young people struggling as a result of HHC vape use,” Patricia Boyle from Cavan and Monaghan Youth Substance Support (MaCYSS) told the Celt.

“But alcohol is always there in the background and years of research suggests that the younger a person starts drinking the greater the likelihood that they will develop problems with alcohol later in life.”

Some 43% of young Cavan people surveyed and 38% in Monaghan reported vaping in their lifetime with 16% saying they vape daily.

Some 59% of the teens questioned in Cavan and 47% in Monaghan said their main reason for vaping was out of curiosity but 17% in Cavan and 12% in Monaghan said they vaped “to help with a mental health concern”.

This is despite just five percent of teenagers in Cavan and four percent in Monaghan believing that “vaping is generally safe”. Seven in ten agree that “vapes are addictive” and 83% agree that “vapes damage your lungs”.

Patricia Boyle, who has 14 years’ experience working in HSE drugs and alcohol services and is currently working on a Doctorate in Psychotherapy, says support and advice is available in Cavan and Monaghan.

Clinics are available across Cavan and Monaghan including Virginia, Cavan Town, Monaghan Town, Clones, Carrickmacross and in the head office in Cootehill.

Patricia urges anyone who is concerned about a young person to “pick up the phone, seek advice”.

And when it came to cannabis use, 10% of all Cavan and nine per cent of Monaghan teenagers said they have used weed in their lifetime; while five per cent and four per cent respectively admitted to using it in the last 30 days.

MaCYSS provide advice and counselling support for parents and young people in relation to substances and substance use and “we really care”, Patricia points out.

Clinical interventions are tailored to the needs of the young person and family, and sometimes it may be just advice on how to approach the subject with a young person, and at other times, more support is required. But we are here to help.

Alcohol, as ever, features in the lives of our young people, with almost a third of girls in Cavan and Monaghan, aged 15 to 16, reporting that they were drunk in the last 30 days; compared to around a quarter of boys in each of the respective counties.

And, despite years of health campaigning, a smoking ban in Ireland since 2004, and the availability of tobacco alternatives, 12% of females and 15% of males surveyed in Cavan said they smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days. The results were different in Monaghan where seven per cent of females and 10% of males admitted smoking cigarettes in the previous month.

Data from the Planet Youth survey reported data will provide parents, schools, youth workers, gardaí and mental health practitioners with the most up-to-date information on teenagers’ health and wellbeing in Cavan and Monaghan. The last time the survey was conducted in this region was in 2023.

The children are also asked about aspects of their family life, school, leisure activities and mental health.

In her role with MaCYSS, Patrica Boyle is concerned with the levels of substance use among local teenagers.

From their base in Cootehill, Patricia and a skilled team of professionals, offer support to young people when alcohol and drug use is affecting their lives.

Referrals to MaCYSS come through most approved services including school, GP, social worker or youth worker.

But Patricia reminds parents they can do much to help their young person who is experimenting or addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

“As vaping appears to have become normalised, even though young people are aware of the risks, its addictive potential and uncertain long-term harm warrants a high-level of concern for parents,” she told the Celt.

So, it’s worth having a measured conversation with your young person,” she adds, “So please, do not leave it up to other people, schools, ChatGPT or social media to communicate the message that vaping isn’t harmless.

“Be informed, talk early and talk often – your voice as a parent matters! And remember, it’s never too late.”

Patricia reminds us that every child is different but suggests sixth class is a good time to start the conversation around vapes and other substances, including alcohol.

“Tell your child that he/she will see vaping at secondary school and will likely be offered them but tell them ‘no matter what’s going on come and talk to us’ and when they give you the opportunity to talk – take it,” she advised.

“Communicate your expectations,” Patricia continues. “For example, ‘we won’t accept this in our house’ or ‘we won’t give you money while you are vaping’ and hold the line, which I know is easier to say than do. Talk calmly in a non-judgemental way and then seek help.”

Numerous resources for parents and professionals, as well as a full list of mental health and out-of-hours services is also available on the website.

Planet Youth invites anyone who would like to know the results of the 2025 Cavan and Monaghan survey of young people to come along to the Garage Theatre in Monaghan Town at 11am this Friday, May 1, when the findings will be announced and discussed.

Parents are welcome to make contact by email at: macyss@alcoholforum.org or alternatively by phone on 0857469974.