Men Aged 18-29

Ben started drinking and smoking cannabis with friends as a teenager and when he was in his twenties his drinking increased.

When Scott was in his early twenties, he went drinking regularly with his friends. He also worked at a nightclub, which he says gave him many opportunities to drink.

In his early twenties, Artemis began smoking cannabis with his partner at the time and a few years later, after moving to Australia, he started taking drugs sometimes referred to as party drugs.

Dee Jay started smoking cannabis daily in his early twenties while at university, and taking MDMA and cocaine on the weekends.

Dylan began drinking alcohol and smoking ‘yarndi’ (cannabis) with his friends in his early teens and continued to do so into his early twenties.

Jim began smoking cannabis in his late teens at parties with his friends. He says this bound his social circle together.

A few years before the interview, Max's father died and he started smoking cannabis every day to cope with the loss.

In his early twenties, Ted began smoking cannabis daily, and then a few years later he started taking MDMA, cocaine and GHB regularly. He also took ice and ketamine occasionally.

When David was in his mid-teens he first tried heroin with a cousin and then started taking it on his own.