ONE IN FIVE ON DRUGS IN SOUTH - WEST

One in five young people is using some form of drugs, the Southern
Health Board has found in a survey.

The board is to increase spending on prevention, following a
"revelatory" profile of alcohol and drug use. The study found 33pc of
people smoke, 78pc drink alcohol and 20pc admitted using some form of
drugs.

A SHB spokesperson said: "The community profile of smoking, alcohol
and drug use in Cork and Kerry is revelatory."

The board, as part of its pounds 512m service plan budget for 2001,
will allocate increased resources for drug awareness and treatment
measures.

The board is to spend pounds 500,000 on drug and alcohol services.