TWO-THIRDS OF YOUNG ADULTS ADMIT BEING OFFERED DRUGS

Two-thirds of young Irish adults have been offered illegal hard drugs and
half of those admitted to taking them, according to a new survey.

And although 17pc admitted using hard drugs, nine out of 10 people aged
between 18 and 30 regard illegal hard drugs as a major problem in Irish
society. Well over two-thirds felt there was no justification for taking
marijuana.

However, most young adults prefer living in Ireland than any other country
and feel they are in control and enjoying their lives.

The national survey, conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of Wilson
Hartnell Public Relations, covers a wide range of issues from morality and
religion to shopping and eating.

It shows that young people are more optimistic about their own
circumstances with the majority (94pc) feeling good about living in Ireland
and more than half feeling they have a high degree of control in their
lives. Two out of three rate Ireland above any other country.

Family life was described by 83pc as being very important and their main
concerns are health (52pc), drugs (47pc), cost of housing (44pc) and
unemployment (41pc).

The survey also showed that young people are growing more liberal, with
77pc believing that it is better to live with someone before getting
married. However, almost six in every 10 expect to marry at some stage.

There was a high acceptance of people living together outside wedlock,
having children outside wedlock, divorce, homosexuality, giving children up
for adoption, celibacy, euthanasia and casual sex.

But there was a low level of tolerance for hard drugs, drink driving,
accepting bribes in the course of duty, under-age sex, married people
having affairs, suicide, taking marijuana, prostitution and abortion. Some
91pc rejected the notion that ``life has no meaning''; almost half
expressed belief in a personal God, while a further third said they
believed in some ``sort of spirit or life force''.

The survey also found that four in 10 read a daily newspaper, the most
popular of which is the Irish Independent (29pc) and only 6pc discuss
politics with their peers.

First party preferences show Fianna Fail on top with 29pc, Fine Gael at
12pc, Labour at 7pc and Sinn Fein and the Greens both at 5pc. More than
30pc are not sure of their political persuasion.

Young people spend an average of pounds 59 per week on themselves, with men
spending pounds 20 more than women. Their favourite brands are Coca-Cola
(39pc), McDonald's (32pc), Nike sportswear (28pc), Adidas sportswear
(27pc), Budweiser (24pc) and Levis (23pc).

Just over eight in 10 have travelled abroad and almost a third speak
French.