FIFTH OF 16-YEAR-OLDS USE CANNABIS - REPORT

One out of five 16-year-olds regularly use cannabis and almost half of that
age group have at least tried it, a report into college students' use of
the drug in Wairarapa and Kapiti says.

In both areas students say cannabis is freely available and easy to get,
and community consultation found some children as young as 10 and 11 years
are being supplied by their parents.

About 4000 students, aged between 13 and 17, were surveyed in 1999 for Hutt
Valley Health's regional public health report Cannabis and Youth, issued
Wednesday.

Medical officer of health Stephen Palmer said it is "quite significant" to
find that one fifth of 16 year-olds are regular users of cannabis.

"We know it has adverse affects on educational potential. At 16, when
students are studying for exams, is this writing off this group of
individuals in their potential for the future?"

Thirty per cent of those surveyed say they had used the drug. Of those 13
per cent in Kapiti and 11 per cent in Wairarapa say they are regular users.
About one-fifth had used the drug by the age of 12.

Most commonly students get their cannabis from school friends, the report
says. Other sources are, friends, family members, dealers and some even
grow their own supply.

In Kapiti students smoke and deal cannabis in the school grounds, and it is
widely known that some go home at lunch time to have a joint, the report says.

Paraparaumu College principal Richard Campbell says though there have been
incidents involving cannabis in the past no students have been disciplined
for it at the school this year.

However, he says, anecdotal evidence from students indicates there is
"quite a lot" of cannabis use among students on weekends. This is having an
affect on some students' work.

"I think all principals would acknowledge that adolescent involvement with
marijuana is a worry. We are seeing a fall off (in ability) with some
students, not a large number but some, that's why you'll see opposition to
decriminalisation."

Wairarapa College acting principal Keith Sawyer says it would be naive to
think some students are not involved in drug use away from the school.

On rare occasions students do bring the drug to school and on rarer
occasions use it during school times. He would not say if any students had
been disciplined over cannabis this year.

The school, its board of trustees, student association and parent, teacher
association have all expressed their opposition to decriminalisation, he says.

Cannabis law reform campaigner Green MP Nandor Tanczos says the report's
findings come as no surprise "at all".

It "is in line with what we've been saying: prohibition is totally failing
to control cannabis use among the young," he said.

"We've said all along that rather than arresting adult users for minor
cannabis use we should be putting resources into education and health
campaigns particularly for young people.

"If we put the tens of millions, possibly hundreds of millions, spent on
prohibition, and spent it on education instead it would make a difference
to cannabis use among young people," he says.

According to Mr Tanczos 1994 students were suspended or stood down
(expelled) in 1999 for drug use, up from 1767 in 1998.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard says the report's findings are "shocking".

"I think they show the need for better information and education about the
danger of drug use among young people."

Dr Palmer says it was worrying to see that most younger users were given
the drug by friends and family. It was not till they reached the age of 16
that dealers were commonly used and at that age over one third bought it.

The report also says those who started smoking cannabis when they were much
younger, between 10 and 12 years old, were more likely to become regular users.

Cannabis use by Maori students is higher than others. In comparison with
overall use, in the Wairarapa area 19 per cent of Maori students say they
are regular users, in Kapiti 18 per cent say they are.

"This information highlights the need to develop programmes that are
specifically aimed at young Maori, as the difference in prevalence suggests
that the associated issues may also be different," Dr Palmer says.

The report recommends further research into the "core group", those who
first used cannabis at between 10 and 12 years of age and who continue to
use heavily. It also suggested a study of the economic, social and cultural
environments for selling drugs in school settings.