Teenage addiction - Vital to curb boozing and drug abuse

BINGE drinking and drug addiction among Irish teenagers are among the worst in Europe, according to the findings of a disturbing report on the latest trends in 35 countries.

Apart from containing some good news on smoking trends, which are markedly down, Ireland emerges badly from the study of schools throughout the continent.

In perhaps the most depressing revelation of all, Irish girls are once again Europe’s worst binge drinkers. And teenage boys here record the second-highest figures for consuming large quantities of beer.