DRUGS LOSE THEIR APPEAL FOR UNDER-16S

DRUG use among the under-16s appears to have peaked and would be unlikely
to worsen if cannabis were legalised, according to research published today.

Surveys of more than 500,000 young people, dating back to 1987, show drug
use declining for the third successive year.

The annual assessment of drug-taking among the young, carried out by
academics at Exeter University, showed a steady increase in abuse until
1996, but the latest report says: "We are confident that there has indeed
been a levelling off, and possibly even a downturn in this age group's
experience of drugs."

Responses from more than 40,000 children aged between 12 and 15 last year
also suggested that few would be encouraged to change their habits if
cannabis were legalised. Only 3 per cent of those who had never tried the
drug said they would do so if it was legal, although 29 per cent did not
know. Cannabis was by far the most commonly used drug, with 19 per cent of
14 and 15-year-olds admitting trying it last year. Under 5 per cent had
tried amphetamines or solvents, which came next on the list. At 12 and 13,
4 per cent of boys and 3 per cent of girls had tried cannabis.

Anti-drug campaigns appear to have been particularly effective in reducing
the attractions of Ecstasy, which swept the club scene in the 1990s.

John Balding, who produced the report, said: "It is always dangerous to
predict the future, but we can say that at the moment it is trendy not to
take drugs."

Home Office figures show that the number of children involved in drug crime
is soaring, with almost 8,000 youngsters under 17 convicted or cautioned
for offences in 1998.

The increase was more marked among girls, with a 32 per cent rise in the
numbers under 18 sentenced to detention.