Subj: More than half of youths try drugs before 17

Date: Jun 5, 1998

Source: The Examiner (Ireland)

More than half of youths try drugs before 17

by Vivion Kilfeather

MORE than half the population experimented with illegal drugs before
they were 17, according to a survey.

And all but one of those questioned in the survey carried out by In
Dublin magazine had tried out drugs at some time in their lives.

The greatest number, 35%, experienced drugs in a friend's house;
10% in a pub and 10% in a club; 15% at a party and 15% outdoors
and 5% at home.

A friend was the first person to introduce the respondents to their first
recreational drug, while 77% of those surveyed said drugs did not
affect their day-to-day life, while 23% felt they did. Carried out by In
Dublin magazine and involving more than 100 people between the age
of 18 and 30 years in the capital, one of the respondents said the most
bizarre experience was watching Coronation Street while on illegal
drugs with his/her parents in the same room.

About three-quarters of those who responded claimed they received
their first introduction to drugs from a friend, and 76% of those
surveyed said their first experience of drugs did not lead them on to
other drugs, although this did not prevent exactly half of them claiming
that so-called soft drugs, such as marijuana and cigarettes, were a
gateway to hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.

As for the current Independent-led campaign sweeping Britain to
decriminalise the so-called soft drug marijuana, the survey suggests
that a similar campaign here would get short-shrift, with 70% of those
surveyed saying that illegal drugs should not be decriminalised.

It would appear, says In Dublin, that the use of recreational drugs,
including alcohol and cigarettes, is very much a casual lifestyle choice.

A quarter of those surveyed use recreational drugs two to three times
per week. The vast majority claimed that ecstasy, alcohol and
cigarettes in that order were the most dangerous drugs they had ever
taken. This was reflected in the answers to the questions relating to the
most frightening experience while on drugs — heart palpitations and
the sensation of impending death dominated. One girl said she was
arrested while under the influence of ecstasy.

The survey showed respondents were remarkably tolerant of the most
addictive drug — cigarettes — with 86% against a total ban on the
grounds that people should be allowed kill themselves if they wanted
to.