Patterns and determinants of opioid and narcotic use among youth in Mogadishu, Somalia: a mixed-methods study
New Article Published: Youth opioid and narcotic use in Mogadishu, Somalia We are pleased to announce the publication of the article, Patterns and determinants of opioid and narcotic use among youth in Mogadishu, Somalia: a mixed-methods study, in the Journal of Substance Use. This important study provides new empirical evidence on opioid and narcotic medicine use among young people in Mogadishu, with a particular focus on the role of homelessness, peer influence, coping under distress, and access through weakly regulated channels. The research employed a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, combining survey data from 420 youths aged 12–25 years across four districts in Mogadishu with qualitative interviews involving homeless youth and key informants. The study offers both statistical analysis of opioid exposure patterns and rich contextual insights into the social and behavioral pathways that shape substance use. Among its key findings, the article reports notable levels of self-reported addiction to pethidine and oxycodone and identifies homelessness as a strong independent marker of opioid exposure. The qualitative evidence shows that initiation often begins through peer sharing or medicinal exposure, while escalation is linked to tolerance, distress, and easy access through pharmacies and informal intermediaries. This publication makes a valuable contribution to the limited literature on opioid and narcotic use among youth in Somalia and other fragile settings. It also offers practical recommendations for prevention, youth outreach, psychosocial support, and stronger regulation of nonmedical opioid access. The article is relevant for researchers, public health practitioners, policymakers, mental health professionals, and institutions working to protect vulnerable youth and strengthen public health responses in conflict-affected environments. https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XGF9NZ7FJHFQAX969WYQ/full?target=10.1080/14659891.2026.2653531