Drugs used by 25% of teens, claims study
The survey again highlighted the extent of binge drinking among students, with one in 10 admitting they were so drunk the last time they drank they could not stand.
Three out of every four students questioned, in schools in Waterford, Kilkenny and Kerry, had tried alcohol, with 50% saying they had spent two or more successive days drinking in the past year.
The study of 1,715 students showed that almost six out of 10 students had smoked cigarettes at one time. Of these, over a quarter smoked at least once a week. Of the 79% who had taken alcohol, 57% had taken a drink in the 30 days preceding the survey.
Over a quarter said they had taken illegal drugs. Almost half of those polled said they had been offered drugs at some point. The vast majority, 86%, said they were offered drugs by a friend. And just one in five felt that enough drugs-related information was provided to them in school.
A spokesman for the Garda Research Unit said there was a certain level of unwillingness among those surveyed to report involvement in dubious activities.
“The subjects were aware that the research was being conducted by the gardaí for use by that organisation,” the spokesman said.
Of those who had tried drugs, cannabis emerges as the most prominent drug available and used by teenagers. Most got the drug from friends and had taken it either in a public environment or in their homes with friends.
Over a quarter of those surveyed said they had received no drugs-related education from their school. Males were shown to be more likely to use drugs and those who used drugs most were fifth-year students.
The survey proposes a number of remedies to the situation, including putting drugs, alcohol and tobacco education back on the agenda and that parents become more vigilant.
The pilot survey, by the Garda Research Unit in Templemore, is expected to be rolled out in all 25 garda divisions.
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