It also appears that the available teaching materials for cluster 4 education are generally not known to schools. In addition, almost all schools lack an integrated approach to substance use, that is, one that focuses on policy, education, identification and support, and parental involvement. This is shown by the results of the national EXPLORE study by the Trimbos Institute on the prevention and use of substances in practical education and secondary special education (clusters 3 and 4).

Substance use in practical education and cluster 4 education declined over 11 years

Since the previous EXPLORE study in 2008, substance use in practical education and cluster 4 education declined considerably in 2019. This decline is visible for all substances, with the exception of ever having used ecstasy in practical education. For example, the percentage of students in practical education who had ever smoked fell from 47% in 2008 to 21% in 2019. Cluster 4 education also saw a decline, from 61% to 31%. These findings for all substances are largely in line with developments in the basic and framework-oriented vocational track of pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO-b).

Substance use highest among cluster 4 students

For almost all substances, prevalence rates among cluster 4 students are higher than those in practical education and VMBO-b. For example, 31% of cluster 4 students have ever smoked, 20% have ever used cannabis and 6% have ever used ecstasy. These percentages are lower in practical education (21%, 7% and 3%, respectively) and in VMBO-b (24%, 10% and 2%). Alcohol is an exception: alcohol use among cluster 4 students is higher than in practical education, but corresponds to that of VMBO-b students (ever having drunk alcohol: 46%, 30% and 50%, respectively).

Although the use among students in practical education corresponds to that of VMBO-b students, this does not mean that substance use among students in practical education does not require attention. VMBO-b students use relatively large amounts of substances compared with students in other types of mainstream education.

Compared with cluster 4 students, cluster 3 students with a MID have less experience with ever using tobacco (22%), alcohol (39%), cannabis (8%), ecstasy (<1%), nitrous oxide (11%) and water pipe tobacco (18%). When cluster 3 education is compared with mainstream education, use among cluster 3 students is generally lower, with the exception of tobacco and water pipe use, which are comparable.

Schools need to focus on substance prevention

Only a few schools appeared to have an integrated approach to substance prevention. Schools cited various reasons for this, including a lack of time and budget. An integrated approach addresses all four pillars of the Healthy School: policy, education, identification and support, and parental involvement. Examples include the integrated prevention programmes Helder op School and Samen slagen for cluster 4 education and practical education. Research shows that such an integrated approach is most effective in preventing substance use.

Across all types of education, it was indicated that suitable teaching materials are lacking. Such materials are indeed not available for cluster 3 education, while the teaching materials for practical education are outdated. Teaching programmes are available for cluster 4 education, but they appear to be little or not at all known to schools.

Some of the education professionals interviewed indicated that substance use does not occur. However, the results of the questionnaire study among students suggest that this observation is probably incorrect. They may have less insight into this because staff members are generally not trained to recognise signs of substance use.

It is important that new and suitable teaching materials be developed for cluster 3 and practical education. For cluster 4 education, the available materials could be brought to the attention of schools more effectively. In addition, schools could be better facilitated and encouraged to introduce an integrated approach.

  • Download the Cluster 3 education factsheet here
  • Download the Practical and Cluster 4 education factsheet here
  • Download the Cluster 3 and 4 and Practical Education report here
  • Download the Practical and Cluster 4 Education report here

About the EXPLORE study

The EXPLORE study is a national study into the extent of substance use among young people in practical education, secondary special education (clusters 3 and 4), residential youth care and juvenile detention centres. In addition, professionals working in these schools or institutions were interviewed to gain insight into the policies applied and the interventions they use regarding substance prevention. The aim of the EXPLORE study is to provide data to support and develop an effective preventive approach to (problematic) substance use among vulnerable young people. The reports published now concern students in practical education and secondary special education (clusters 3 and 4). The results concerning young people in residential youth care and juvenile detention centres will be published in 2021.
More information about the EXPLORE study