Work is Not Enough: A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Vocational Training Programme for Young Drug and Alcohol Abusers

One hundred forty-one young substance abusers who participated in a vocational training programme were followed up with personal interviews five years later. Forty-six per cent completed one of three different vocational training careers for a minimum of three months. This group had a higher total work activity during the last three years before follow-up than those who dropped out of the programme. There was also a high positive correlation between this later work activity and reduction in substance abuse. This finding offers confirmation of the theory underlying vocational training. Work in the secondary labour market in itself was not found to be sufficient as a remedy to reduce substance abuse. Vocational training, however, may help clients develop the social skills they need on the secondary labour market.