Teenage drug use ‘widespread’, survey reveals

GRASS, hash, headshop drugs, ecstasy or pills, and, on a smaller scale, cocaine, are, in order of popularity, the drugs of choice among Irish teens, more of whom profess to drug taking than cigarette smoking, according to a new survey.

Among the youngsters who took part in the UNICEF Ireland research, hash-takers are more likely to suffer from depression, engage in self-harm or feel suicidal.

‘Grass’ or ‘weed’ was the most popular substance among the more than one-third of respondents who reported drug taking (80%). More than two-thirds of those taking drugs first did so at age 16 or younger. Some 12 year-olds reported taking drugs.