ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE LINKED TO RISE IN TEEN STDS

The widescale abuse of drugs and alcohol has led to a direct increase
in the number of sexually transmitted diseases among young people,
according to Alliance, the Centre for Sexual Health.

Research has shown the number of incidences reported to the Department
of Health has almost doubled in the past six years. In 1993, 4,000
cases of STDs were reported. That figure has increased to 7,000, with
doctors warning of a further rise unless the issue is addressed on a
number of levels.

There has been a marked increase in the number of young people
visiting STD clinic in recent months, with a rise in incidents of
genital warts and chlamydia in particular.

Many of the young people today are in denial and feel they are not at
risk of contracting any of these diseases and are more worried about
the risk of pregnancies than STDs,” said the director of Care and
Support Service at Alliance, Margaret Allen.

Recent figures show there were a total of 2,514 cases of genital warts
reported in 1997. The incidents of chlamydial infections, which occur
mostly in women, is also on the rise, with over 500 cases in the same
period.

A recent survey by Alliance found 90% of teenagers were concerned
about the threat of pregnancy during intercourse, but less than half
were worried about HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

While teenagers in Ireland are having sex at a younger age, the
figures are still fairly average by European standards. Thirty two per
cent of boys and 22% of girls experience sex by the age of 16, but
this is still higher than most other countries.

What has emerged from research however, is that alcohol and drugs are
playing are increasing part in unprotected sex. As drug and alcohol
use becomes more widespread, young people allow themselves to be put
at risk by taking more chances.

We have to look at the whole issue of education. Because recent
campaigns on HIV and AIDS are geared towards a specific risk group,
most heterosexual males feels it does not affect them.

We have also found from talking to the young people who call into our
centre that there is still a fear and certain level of embarrassment
when it comes to condoms.

Young people say they have a good relationship with their parents,
but will not discuss their sexual activity with them. They are also
reluctant to go to their GP for fear he will contact their parents,”
said Ms Allen.

There is a need for greater awareness of teenage sexuality and
education programmes must be broadened to include parents and
teachers, she added.

The relationship between alcohol and drug abuse and increased sexual
activity must also be closely examined, she said.