Shocking findings on youths' drug use

ALCOHOL and cannabis are so widely used among teenagers even the best possible drug education programme won't significantly reduce experimentation, according to a new report.

Health authorities should instead focus on preventing people from becoming regular or long-term users.

The report, carried out in a mixed-class suburban area, found almost 40% of 10 to 18-year-olds had tried cannabis and 76% had taken alcohol.

"It would be difficult to imagine that even the most comprehensive drug education programme would eliminate or even significantly reduce experimentation with drugs," the report concluded.

The study, commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD), said this was particularly the case with alcohol and cannabis, which were perceived by teenagers as "relatively harmless".

The authors said the most effective approach would be to "prevent the experimental and recreational use developing into a pattern of regular, excessive and long-term consumption."

The research, carried out in Kilbarrack, north Dublin, found 49% of 10 to 12-year-olds had taken alcohol at some stage, with 17% reporting usage in the past 30 days.

88% of 13 to 15-year-olds had taken alcohol, including 61% in the past 30 days.

97% of 16 to 18-year-olds had taken alcohol, including 84% in the past 30 days.

The report found that 22% of 10 to 18-year-olds had drank alcohol more than 11 times in the past 30 days. More than a third of drinkers said they got alcohol from an older person while more than a half said they obtained alcohol in a pub, off-licence or club.

Asked what type of alcohol they drank, 53% said beer, 44% said vodka and 29% said alcopops.

More than 40% said they often had five or more drinks on a given occasion.

The report, carried out by the Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme, found that 35% of 10 to 12-year-olds had smoked a cigarette, including 9% in the past 30 days. This rose to 70% and 40% respectively for 16 to 18-year-olds.

Three-quarters perceived cigarettes as very harmful and would like to give up.

The report found cannabis use was so widespread it had been 'normalised' among urban, working class youths.

It found that almost 40% of 10 to 18-year-olds had taken cannabis, including 21% in the past 30 days.

The figure is high among 16 to 18-year-olds at 70% and 43% respectively. It found that 6% had taken cocaine, increasing to 18% among 16 to 18-year-olds.