|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Drug warning for Highland pupils John Ross The Scotsman Saturday 20 Sep 2003 THE results of a lifestyle survey conducted among Highland teenagers was described as "a wake-up call" yesterday after it was revealed 70 per cent of 15-year-olds had been offered drugs. The figure is higher than the national average of 65 per cent, although the prevalence of actual drug use in the Highlands was not significantly different from the national picture. In all, 8 per cent of 13-year-olds and 24 per cent of 15-year-olds in the Highlands had used drugs in the month prior to the survey. A total of 908 pupils from 22 schools across the Highlands took part in the 2002 Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS). The report follows revelations of a police raid on Thursday on Fortrose Academy in the Black Isle when up to ten pupils were detained and a substantial amount of cannabis resin seized. The operation was part of Northern Constabulary's Stop the Dealer campaign, and officers on the raid had worked closely with the education authority. The survey also showed that 24 per cent of 13-year-olds and 49 per cent of 15-year-olds had drunk alcohol in the week prior to the survey, while 9 per cent of 13-year-olds and 22 per cent of 15-year-olds were regular smokers. The average age for youngsters to have their first drink or cigarette was 12, while first drug use was said to be at 13. Young drinkers said they first got drunk at 13 years, boys drink an average of 13 units of alcohol and girls 11 units - mostly in a single session. Also, 54 per cent of young people who drank reported that their parents did not mind their drinking. The findings will be reported to Highland Councils education, culture and sport committee next Friday. Bruce Robertson, the councils director of education, culture and sport, said: "The main findings of the survey demonstrate that Highland cannot be complacent about smoking, drinking and drug use amongst its young people. They are subject to the same pressures as their peers in the rest of Scotland." "They enjoy the benefits of a healthy environment, but the data shows that we must continue to encourage a choice of lifestyle which matches this setting." He said measures to address smoking, alcohol and drug misuse should continue and must be rigorously monitored and evaluated, and further measures should be developed. "There is also a need to ensure support to parents and communities to address the problems of teenage substance misuse, and to inform parents about strategies to address the problem. "Parents and local communities have a key role in addressing substance misuse by young people, and services must support them in this task. "The survey will also be subject to a more detailed examination. For example, the information about drinking reveals some potentially significant facts, indicating that additional measures should be contemplated. "Given these statistics, it is important that primary school alcohol education programmes take account of binge drinking and the young age of those drinking to excess." Targets set in the Highlands are to reduce the number of 13 to 15-year-olds using alcohol to 18 per cent a week; those smoking regularly to 12 per cent per week and those misusing drugs in a month to 14 per cent. Present initiatives include a stop smoking programme in schools, an in-service drug misuse training programmes for secondary school staff and information for parents about strategies for addressing drinking by young teenagers.
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!