Creating Safe Spaces: The Role of Non-League Football in Preventing Substance Misuse Among Youth

Addiction is rife among our young people, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Time and time again, non-league football has proven to be a positive outlet in the lives of young people, instilling in them resilience, confidence, and community.

If we keep heading in this direction, promoting positive mental health along the way, we can expect more young footballers’ lives to be protected against the dangers of substance misuse.

Let’s not shy away from the reality. Today, we’ll explore the specifics of the addiction problem in young people, the crucial role of non-league football, and how we can create safe spaces for youth to thrive in football and life in general.

The Challenge of Substance Misuse in Young People

Substance misuse statistics

A 2021 survey of children in UK schools found that 6% of under-16s reported taking drugs within the previous month, including 2% of 11-year-olds. The most common drugs were cannabis, volatile substances (glue, aerosols, solvents etc), nitrous oxide, and new psychoactive substances.

Alcohol is also a common issue for young people, with half of 17-year-olds having engaged with binge drinking.

Substance misuse seems to affect young people more than other age groups, given 16.5% of people aged 16-24 years reported drug use in the last year before the 2021 study, with only 7.2% of 25-to-59-year-olds reporting the same.

Why do young people misuse substances?

When a young person becomes addicted to a drug, mental illness is very often involved. More than half of young people in addiction treatment have another mental health disorder. Drugs are used as a way to escape the realities of life, cope with symptoms, and gain a sense of control over life.

Adverse childhood experiences including poverty, neglect, trauma and abuse also significantly increase the chances that a young person will end up relying on substances.

Another key factor is genetics. Some young people are more vulnerable to addiction than others, and may not realise this until it’s too late. Of the 14,352 under-17s in treatment between April 2023 and March 2024, including alcohol rehab and alcohol detox assessment, many of these will be genetically prone to addictive behaviours.

What makes young people vulnerable to substance misuse?

Before the brain is fully formed, we are much more vulnerable to making unsafe decisions, and falling victim to peer pressure, which can lead many young people down the path of drugs.

Early exposure is the main problem found in children in treatment centres; 80% say they started using drugs before the age of 15. Being exposed to substances from such a young age often leads to long-term use and frequent use, both of which commonly evolve into addiction.

Why Non-League Football Matters

Non-league football may not seem like a powerful force that could prevent addiction, but the truth is it can, and does, save lives. But how?

1: Community

Young people in non-league football are welcomed into a community of like-minded people, who support them both in and out of football.

This sense of belonging is something that prevents youth from feeling isolated and misunderstood, ultimately helping them to feel comfortable in their own skin, without needing to use drugs as an escape.

2: Structure

Children who are invested in football follow strict routines, and this high level of structure means they feel fulfilled and don’t need to search for harmful ways to fill their time.

Football also serves as a daily purpose for many young people, and they are able to say no to potentially detrimental activities (such as underage binge drinking) due to their commitment to football.

3: Accountability

As well as having trusted players of the same age, young football players can turn to coaches and volunteers to help them through the teenage years. With this trust comes responsibility, and lots of youth choose to stay on the right track in order to not disappoint their football community.

4: Outlet

Finally, non-league football is an incredible tool for young people to express themselves. On the pitch, complicated feelings can be translated into movement, which allows for a healthy release of pent-up frustration, anger, and insecurity.

This consistent release of stress means young footballers are regulating their emotions in a healthy way, rather than using drugs to mask what they are feeling.

5: Access

Grassroots football is open to children and teenagers from all different backgrounds. The players who are the most vulnerable to drug addiction, such as teenagers in poverty, are just as welcome on the pitch, and this means countless young people have been saved from addiction through their football lifestyle.

Creating Safe Spaces in Non-League Football

Playing football alone can keep children away from addiction, but the majority of the power is in the community that is built around football. So, how can we create safe spaces in non-league football?

1. Make mental health a priority

Don’t shy away from introducing mental health topics in football-related conversations when appropriate. Let your young people see that you model open communication, and they will feel comfortable opening up in turn if they need to.

2. Encourage peer support

Create an environment where your players are rewarded for supporting one another, both on and off the pitch. This can do wonders for the togetherness of the team, and the sense of belonging of each and every player.

3. Arrange education workshops

Invite mental health experts in to talk about the links between football and mental health, or show your team videos of successful footballers discussing mental health. The more it’s normalised within your community, the more young people will understand its importance.

Funding doesn’t have to get in the way of educating your players. Even regular mental health check-ins with an informed coach can be the difference between your team feeling isolated and feeling supported.

4. Challenge negative language

The harmful “boys don’t cry” motto doesn’t need to be echoed around the pitch. It’s time to change the culture of football communities, and it starts by challenging negative language, whether it comes from a player or a parent.

Conclusion

The results are in: non-league football is a powerful buffer against substance misuse. It encourages stress release, fosters belonging, and increases support, all of which help young people to focus their mind on a healthy coping mechanism, and stay away from drug use.

UK addiction statistics are more than disappointing, but they are reversible. Let’s invest in our young people as people, not just players, and watch them thrive both on and off the pitch.