CONFIDENT KIDS LIKELY TO TRY DRUGS

Young people with high self-esteem are more likely to take illicit drugs
than those whose self-confidence is low, new research has revealed.

The findings contradict the conventional wisdom that drug-taking is most
prevalent among anxious or insecure youth looking for an escape from poor
conditions or a way to feel better about themselves.

Instead, up to 27 per cent of young people with high self-esteem had used
illicit substances compared with only 20 per cent of their less
self-confident peers. Experts say the new research means an overhaul of
drug education programmes is necessary.

The survey of 15,000 children aged 14 and 15 was conducted by the respected
Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU) in Exeter.

On most occasions the drug tried was cannabis, though solvents and
amphetamines also featured in responses, said David Regis, who led the
research team.

'Unfortunately the results blow a hole in the simple moral fable that young
people are led into the paths of righteousness by high self-esteem,' he said.

Two factors are thought to explain the results. More confident children are
more likely to be sociable, have more money and thus have more opportunity
to experiment with drugs. And they are also often more willing to indulge
in 'risk-taking' activities, ranging from extreme sports to class-A drugs.

Research reveals that though youngsters who describe themselves as
'experimental' cigarette smokers often have low self-esteem, those who call
themselves 'committed' smokers have self-esteem levels as high or higher
than average.

Heather Ashton, a professor of pharmacology at Newcastle University who has
studied patterns of drug-taking among students, said last week that the
results of the SHEU survey did not surprise her: 'Students all report they
take drugs for pleasure and that it has nothing to do with anxiety or
stress. Years ago young people who did [drugs] were seen as psychotic or
low or risk-takers. Now that is not the case.'

Ashton's research shows that one in five university students says he or she
uses cannabis at least once a week. It also shows that a typical cannabis
joint in the Sixties contained only 10mg of a potent chemical known as THC
which affects the brain. The typical joint now, with more sophisticated
cultivation and plant breeding, contains more than 150mg and has a far more
potent effect.

The report detailed the damage long-term use of cannabis can do to
cognitive ability, memory, coordination and the cardiovascular and
respiratory systems.