TEEN DRUG USE DECLINING

AUSSIE teens are shying away from drugs and drinking and smoking
less than they have in the past.

The current crop of high school students, aged 12 to 17, appear to be
more cautious about the substances they put into their bodies.

A nationwide survey of illicit drug use reveals a dramatic drop in
cannabis and tobacco consumption over the past decade.

The results will be welcomed by thousands of parents worried about
their children partying at end of school celebrations on the Gold Coast.

Since 1996, cannabis use among teenagers has halved from 35 to 18 per
cent.

The number of teenagers smoking also fell from 15 per cent to 7 per
cent over the same period.

The results were based on surveys of more than 21,000 students across
376 schools.

Ecstasy and amphetamine use among teens was similar to previous
years.

Parliamentary secretary for health Christopher Pyne yesterday said the
survey results were encouraging. But alcohol misuse was still a major
concern.