THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE WERE OFFERED DRUGS BY SOMEONE THEY KNEW

THE latest available research among young people in Northern Ireland showed
that 23% of 11-16 year-olds had been offered drugs. And of those who had
been offered drugs, 5.1% reported being offered them at age 10 or under.

Rob Phipps, alcohol and drugs programme manager for the Health Promotion
Agency, said: "The research showed that the most common place for their
'first offer' was outdoors, with only 5.6% of those being offered drugs for
the first time saying it took place at school.

"The majority of young people were offered drugs by someone they knew and
one third of the sample said it would be easy to get illegal drugs if they
wanted to.

"Over 7% of the sample admitted to currently using drugs, and 2.9% of the
total sample could be designated as regular users. Of this group, just over
one fifth said it had caused problems with school authorities, almost one
third said it had caused problem with their parents, and almost 39% said it
was affecting their ability to keep up with their schoolwork. The reality
is that while drugs are available, we all have a responsibility to protect
our children."

Copies of leaflets for parents and further information and advice can be
obtained by phoning the National Drugs Helpline on 0800 776600.