Abstract. This study explores the perceptions, behaviours, and institutional interactions of Albanian minors regarding the use of narcotic substances, with a focus on gender and urban-rural differences. Using a structured questionnaire administered to students aged 13 to 18, the research provides quantitative and qualitative insights into drug experimentation, peer influence, communication with school figures, and response to substance use within their social circle. Findings reveal that male adolescents report higher rates of substance use and exposure, whereas females exhibit greater emotional distance and moral disapproval. Urban minors are more likely to report to institutional figures such as homeroom teachers, while rural minors demonstrate stronger engagement with family and peers and show more tolerance in social relationships with substance users. Notably, tolerance and passivity increase with age, particularly in high school students, signalling a potential erosion of institutional trust. The data suggest the need for differentiated preventive strategies: enhancing critical awareness and self-control among boys, promoting psychological support and open dialogue among girls, and tailoring anti-drug education to the socio-cultural context of each settlement.

Key words: narcotic substances, gender differences, rural-urban contrast, preventive education, youth behaviour

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