This study analyzes how legislative à changes influence substance use through socioeconomic conditions, using ESPAD Italia data collected since 1995. ESPAD surveys 15-16-year-olds on substance use, family dynamics, and socioeconomic factors.
The causal model adopts a multivariate mediation framework : The dependent variables captures substance use behaviors, including alcohol, cannabis, synthetic drugs, first-time use, and poly-drug use., the treatment includes the 2006 Fini-Giovanardi Law (equating penalties for soft and hard drugs) and its 2014 repeal by the Constitutional Court. Mediators include socioeconomic conditions like as: parental education, employment, perceived economic status, family monitoring, emotional support, and personal expenditures.
Control variables such as age, gender, and academic performance are incorporated to account for individual differences.
A quasi-experimental design evaluates how legislative changes indirectly affect substance use via socioeconomic mediators. Findings reveal the interplay of social inequalities and regulatory shifts in shaping risky behaviors, offering insights for targeted interventions addressing substance abuse among vulnerable groups.