Subj: Scotland: One in ten 'trying drugs by age 12'



Date: 20 Oct, 1998



Source: The Scotsman







Scotland: One in ten 'trying drugs by age 12'



THOUSANDS of Scottish youngsters are dabbling in drugs while 

they are still at primary school, according to new research, 

writes Rachel Blackburn.



A Scottish Office-funded survey, by Glasgow University 

researchers, reveals that one in ten youngsters has tried 

illegal drugs before the age of 12.



The study shatters the myth of dealers hanging around school 

gates to supply children, with most youngsters getting drugs 

from family and friends. One 13-year-old was given cannabis 

and speed by his father.



The extent of the problem is revealed on the BBC's 

'Frontline Scotland' programme 'Playground Habits' tonight 

with the results of the study of l,000 pupils from 22 

schools across Scotland.



Professor Neil McKeganey, who led the research,. said he was 

alarmed by the amount of drug taking uncovered by the 

survey, which deliberately ignored Glasgow and Edinburgh.



He said: "It is disturbing that one in ten children have 

taken drugs by the age of 12 but this figure could even be 

higher if you take into account places like Glasgow.



"Before this research we would never have thought that 

children as young as nine could be coming across illegal 

drugs but you can't have that perception now."



Of the 1,000 children, aged 11 and 12, questioned by Prof 

McKeganey, 100 had tried drugs. Of those, 79 per cent had 

tried cannabis, 27 per cent magic mushrooms, 15 per cent 

LSD, 10 per cent ecstasy and 6 per cent had taken heroin.