'GIRL POWER' IS BLAMED FOR DRUG USE

New Scottish study shows that boys are smoking less cannabis while
female pupils are smoking more By Tom Peterkin Health
Correspondent

THE 'girl power' phenomenon as epitomised by the Spice Girls may be
behind an alarming rise in the use of drugs by teenage girls.

A new study of Scottish schoolchildren has shown that cannabis smoking
has risen by 17% among 15-year-old girls over the last four years,
while young men are smoking less.

As many as one in five teenage girls is thought to be a regular
cannabis user according to the survey, which also showed that girls
are far more likely to sniff glue or abuse tranquillisers than boys.

Sociologists believe that new-found assertiveness and social
consciousness among teenage girls - epitomised by 'girl power' - could
be behind the increase, as young women attempt to prove that they are
just as independent as boys.

The 'girl power' phrase was coined by the Spice Girls in 1996 who said
it meant "a projection of female power" and was the latest incarnation
of a philosophy in which girls reject traditional male/female
stereotypes and do everything for themselves.

Social scientists now believe that this empowerment is leading girls
to experiment with drugs as they attempt to prove they are capable of
anything that boys are.

"One theory that has been put forward is that girls are more assertive
and more conscious of their place in society than before," said Martin
Raymond of the Health Education Board for Scotland. "Recent studies
into drugs, sexual activity and drinking show a trend of an increasing
number of girls becoming involved in what used to be traditionally
regarded as male activities."

The findings of the study have caused concern among health workers who
are attempting to halt the increase in smoking among teenage girls,
which has doubled over the past 10 years while it has fallen among
boys.

The survey, one of the largest ever studies into the behaviour of
Scottish schoolchildren, found that teenage women are now starting to
outstrip males in their pursuit of high-risk highs.

The study into the drug-taking habits of 5,631 teenagers across
Scotland revealed that the number of 15-year-old girls who admitted
taking cannabis had increased from 32% to 39% over a four-year period.
Half of those who had admitted abusing cannabis had taken it within
the last four weeks, suggesting they are regular users.

Over the same timescale, however, the number of 15-year-old boys
admitting taking the drug fell from 44% to 42%.

The study, by the Research Unit in Health and Behavioural Change at
Edinburgh University, also revealed that nearly one in five
15-year-old girls had used glue or solvents, compared with just over
one in 10 boys. Twice as many girls (8%) had abused tranquillisers as
boys (4%).

The revelations about substance abuse add to growing concerns over the
general behaviour of teenage girls in Scotland. Earlier studies have
found that 40% of 15-year-old girls are sexually active - twice as
many as 10 years ago. Smoking is now more prevalent among teenage
girls than boys, and Scotland has one of the worst records in the
developed world for the habit.

One survey found that a third of teenage girls admit to drinking every
week, while a Glasgow-based study last year revealed that teenage
girls see violence as a natural part of their every day lives.

One of the authors of the new report, Joanna Todd, said the figures
were of deep concern to parents and health workers alike.

"It is a worry and we are very concerned that these risk behaviours
have gone up among girls relative to boys."

Drug misuse expert Professor Neil McKeganey of Glasgow University said
the increased availability of drugs was also thought to be major
factor in the increase.

"If illegal drugs are becoming more readily available that probably
explains the growing number of young women starting to use them," he
said. "Many of the social activities such as raves now associated with
drug use do not favour boys over girls. They are neutral in terms of
the pattern of gender and this probably leads to more girls
experimenting with drugs."

He added that drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes were an
important 'gateway' into drug use. "What we have seen is that many
more girls at a much earlier age are smoking and using alcohol," he
said.