CHILDREN 'GIVEN CANNABIS'

Children as young as 10 are smoking cannabis and in some cases their
families are giving it to them, according to a public health survey on the
drug's use in Kapiti and the Wairarapa.

About 20 per cent of 16-year-olds consider themselves regular cannabis users.

The survey, released yesterday, found that some Kapiti students went home
at lunchtime to smoke joints.

Nearly 4000 students aged 13-17 took part in the survey, which was carried
out last year and was the first extensive survey of its type.

It found 30 per cent of Wairarapa students and 36 per cent of Kapiti
students had tried cannabis.

Medical officer of health Dr Stephen Palmer said the statistics were
alarming but the fact that 70 per cent of students did not smoke dope
should be celebrated.