Systematic review of the literature: the attitude of «Z» generation to new synthetic psychotropic substances (NSPS)

Abstract

Synthetic drugs are one of the most pressing drug problems worldwide. The current use of new synthetic psychotropic substances (NSPS) by members of Generation «Z», known as zoomers, is a cause of great concern. Teenagers and youth are active users of social networks such as TikTok, Instagram, etc. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that due to the peculiarities of their age, they tend to search for something new, unusual, to imitate, overestimate their capabilities and can quickly fall under various influences through social networks. The aim of the study is a systematic review of scientific research on drug use by adolescents and the attitude of «Z» generation to NSPS. The research method is a systematic review that allows both qualitative and quantitative results of empirical research to be systematically integrated into the analysis. Study results: «Z» generation is at higher risk of developing substance abuse problems than previous age groups due to their obsession with social networks. It has been established that this is a problem mostly in adolescence; most disorders associated with the use of NSPS begin precisely in adolescence. It is revealed that the Internet plays an important role in the relationship between youth and NSPS, there is a positive relationship between the use of NSPS and suicide. The practical significance of the study - the prevalence of NSPS among modern youth in the global perspective makes this area of research especially relevant for the future of Kazakhstan society from a sociological point of view. There is a need for a deeper study of the practice of the use of NSPS by youth and the use of a social network for the drug trafficking.

Keywords: «Z» generation, young people, NSPS, new drugs, systematic review.