NINE YEAR OLDS USING DRUGS

CHILDREN as young as nine are experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes,
according to a new report.

The survey also found more than one in five in the 15 to 16 year old age
bracket smoke on a regular basis. A third of them are drinking and just
under one in five is using drugs, particularly cannabis. Up to 5% of the
teenagers polled have taken solvents, LSD, amphetamines and ecstasy.

The latest figures come from two major research studies conducted in 1997
and 1998 by the Southern Health Board. The findings spurred the Board to
develop new, preventative literature for schools. The `Guidelines for
Schools on Developing Policy on Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug use' were launched
yesterday by Health Minister, Micheal Martin, and will be distributed to all
schools in the region.

The survey sampled 1,500 people aged from 15 to 44 on alcohol, tobacco and
drug use in Cork and Kerry. The youngest group surveyed were children aged
15 to 16 years.

In this group: 22% were smoking; 33% were drinking alcohol; 19% had taken a
drug; 18% had taken cannabis, and 2 5% had taken solvents, LSD, amphetamines
and ecstasy.

Recent research carried out by Dr Tim Jackson, Department of Public Health,
Southern Health Board, shows that young people aged 15 to 19 years are most
likely to be using drugs. He found that 8% in this age group are currently
using drugs.

The level of smoking has dramatically increased, from 10% at 15 years to 31%
by 16 years and 40% at 20 years. Boys started smoking more than a year
earlier than girls, and smoked more cigarettes.

Almost half (44%) of those under the legal age of 18 years, were current
drinkers. In the 20 24 age group, 13% of men showed problem or addictive
drinking. Those surveyed tended to start smoking and drinking at an early
age before moving on to drug use.

The report shows some begin smoking, drinking and taking drugs by the age of
15. Prevention programmes need to target children in their early teens, with
emphasis on encouraging teenagers not to smoke or drink, Dr Jackson found.

Launching the new preventative programme, the Minister commended the Health
Promotion Department of the Board. "Regrettably, use of drugs has become
part of our culture and everyday lives and thereby a cause of major concern
for parents, teachers, school management and students."

Health Promotion Officer with the Southern Health Board, Catherine Murphy,
said the new guidelines are designed to be a practical tool to help primary
schools to provide a competent strategy against substance misuse. 93The
Southern Health Board believes that an effective policy will be a milestone
in preventing substance misuse,94 said Ms Murphy.