FIFTH OF TEENAGERS DRUNK REGULARLY

One in six teenagers is smoking daily and up to one in five is drunk
regularly, a new study shows. Research by Trinity College in Dublin
looked at the social habits of the pupils in 16 different schools and
found up to a third of the 14 and 15 year olds had used at least one
illegal drug.

Almost one in five of the teenagers interviewed said they had used
illegal drugs in the previous month. Cannabis is the most commonly
used substance -- followed by inhalants -- and most children begin
experimenting just after their 12th birthday.

Some children are starting to smoke at 11 and over half surveyed in
the report said they drink alcohol every now and again.

The report shows a significant relationship between substance abuse
and delinquent behaviour, with the amount of anti social behaviour
increasing with the use of alcohol and cannabis.

The study also found significant differences in rates of substance use
between schools based on socio economic groupings and mixed and single
gender schools.

The survey, which is published in this month's Association of
Secondary Teachers Ireland magazine (ASTI), shows 16% of pupils smoke
daily, 14% smoke occasionally and the majority took up the habit
because they wanted to experiment.

A quarter of the students surveyed said they never drink while almost
60% said they drink occasionally. A quarter said they use alcohol less
than once a month while a fifth said they drink each week.