News (Media Awareness Project) - Ireland: Drugs Abuse Growing In Rural Schools |
| Title: | Ireland: Drugs Abuse Growing In Rural Schools |
| Published On: | 1999-12-16 |
| Source: | Irish Independent (Ireland) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-05 08:33:16 |
DRUGS ABUSE GROWING IN RURAL SCHOOLS
New concerns emerged yesterday about the level of experimentation with
drugs and solvents among secondary school students living outside our main
cities.
A survey of 1,838 pupils, attending 29 secondary schools in Co Kildare and
West Wicklow revealed that over a quarter had tried cannabis and 23pc had
abused solvents.
And though more than six in ten students had not used any illicit drugs at
all, 20pc had tried one type of drug while 9.4pc had experimented with two
drugs. Around 6pc had tried three or more drugs.
The survey published by the Eastern Health Board yesterday found more boys
(41pc) than girls (31pc) had experimented with illegal drugs.
Eight in ten of the youngsters aged 13 to 18 years had used alcohol, and a
significant number of this group had also taken drugs.
Nearly seven in ten had smoked cigarettes and 5pc had used magic mushrooms.
Of these more than a third reported current use. The average age of first
use was 13 years.
The survey reported that 4pc had used amphetamines and the average age of
first use was 14 years. Over 40pc who started using these drugs were
currently abusing them.
The survey also revealed that 2.8pc had used ecstasy and the average age of
first use was 14 years almost half of those who had ever tried it were
currently abusing it.
The survey found 2.3pc had used LSD.
Meanwhile, a new system aimed at giving families the chance to play a more
active part with social workers in decisions about the care and welfare of
their children was launched by the health board yesterday.
The Family Group Conference is a pilot scheme operating in designated areas
of the board. Its operation was formally launched by Junior Health
Minister, Frank Fahey.
Under the initiative the aim is to have the child looked after within his
or her own family. The term is interpreted widely and includes relatives,
friends and other significant people.
The family has the opportunity to plan for child care in private and this
is then adopted by professionals unless it puts the child at risk.
New concerns emerged yesterday about the level of experimentation with
drugs and solvents among secondary school students living outside our main
cities.
A survey of 1,838 pupils, attending 29 secondary schools in Co Kildare and
West Wicklow revealed that over a quarter had tried cannabis and 23pc had
abused solvents.
And though more than six in ten students had not used any illicit drugs at
all, 20pc had tried one type of drug while 9.4pc had experimented with two
drugs. Around 6pc had tried three or more drugs.
The survey published by the Eastern Health Board yesterday found more boys
(41pc) than girls (31pc) had experimented with illegal drugs.
Eight in ten of the youngsters aged 13 to 18 years had used alcohol, and a
significant number of this group had also taken drugs.
Nearly seven in ten had smoked cigarettes and 5pc had used magic mushrooms.
Of these more than a third reported current use. The average age of first
use was 13 years.
The survey reported that 4pc had used amphetamines and the average age of
first use was 14 years. Over 40pc who started using these drugs were
currently abusing them.
The survey also revealed that 2.8pc had used ecstasy and the average age of
first use was 14 years almost half of those who had ever tried it were
currently abusing it.
The survey found 2.3pc had used LSD.
Meanwhile, a new system aimed at giving families the chance to play a more
active part with social workers in decisions about the care and welfare of
their children was launched by the health board yesterday.
The Family Group Conference is a pilot scheme operating in designated areas
of the board. Its operation was formally launched by Junior Health
Minister, Frank Fahey.
Under the initiative the aim is to have the child looked after within his
or her own family. The term is interpreted widely and includes relatives,
friends and other significant people.
The family has the opportunity to plan for child care in private and this
is then adopted by professionals unless it puts the child at risk.
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