NT DRUGS SHOCK: THEY'RE RIFE AMONG PUPILS

Report Reveals Dope, Speed Popular

Territory school students are big users of cannabis, many sniff petrol,
glue or paint, and others have tried LSD and speed, a survey has found.

The national survey found cannabis use in the NT is as prevalent as tobacco.

But Territory Health officials said drug use among NT students was no worse
than in other states or the ACT.

Surprise

A health spokesman said high use of cannabis and petrol was not a surprise.

The 1996 study included 716 students from 10 Territory high schools and
four primary schools.

It found 75 per cent of 17-year-old male students had used cannabis - half
of them used cannabis in the seven days before the study.

Of the 16-year-olds surveyed, two in 10 reported using cannabis in the past
seven days.

About 50 per cent of 15 and 16-year-olds and 17-year-old females said they
had tried cannabis.

The details are part of the 1996 national study of 29700 students revealed
last week at a Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy.

It was conducted by the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer but
leaked by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.

The survey also found, like the rest of Australia, Territory students aged
12 to 17 were big users of painkillers.

Most students, with the exception of 17-year-old males, reported using
painkillers in the previous month.

Half of 16 and 17-year-old females had used painkillers in the past week.

But less than 10 per cent of Territory students reported they had tried
ecstasy.

Disputed

The study also found one third of Territory students aged 16 and 17 had
tried LSD - with 16 per cent trying speed (amphetamines).

But this figure was disputed as "questionable" by Territory Health Services
director of Alcohol and Other Drugs Program, Dr Ian Crundall.

Dr Crundall said there was no evidence these drugs were common among the
older community and he doubted their use by students.

But he agreed NT petrol sniffing was the worst.

He said: "We have no evidence LSD is prevalent."

"Obviously petrol is an issue -particularly in central Australia.

He said: "The use of cannabis is no different here from other states.

"Alcohol and tobacco are our major drugs."

Health Minister Denis Burke said he was concerned about statistics which
found any high use of drugs by Territory youth.

Checked-by: derek rea