SCOTLAND: ONE IN TEN 'TRYING DRUGS BY AGE 12'

THOUSANDS of Scottish youngsters are dabbling in drugs while they are
still at primary school, according to new research, writes Rachel Blackburn.

A Scottish Office-funded survey, by Glasgow University researchers,
reveals that one in ten youngsters has tried illegal drugs before the
age of 12.

The study shatters the myth of dealers hanging around school gates to
supply children, with most youngsters getting drugs from family and
friends. One 13-year-old was given cannabis and speed by his father.

The extent of the problem is revealed on the BBC's 'Frontline
Scotland' programme 'Playground Habits' tonight with the results of
the study of l,000 pupils from 22 schools across Scotland.

Professor Neil McKeganey, who led the research,. said he was alarmed
by the amount of drug taking uncovered by the survey, which
deliberately ignored Glasgow and Edinburgh.

He said: "It is disturbing that one in ten children have taken drugs
by the age of 12 but this figure could even be higher if you take into
account places like Glasgow.

"Before this research we would never have thought that children as
young as nine could be coming across illegal drugs but you can't have
that perception now."

Of the 1,000 children, aged 11 and 12, questioned by Prof McKeganey,
100 had tried drugs. Of those, 79 per cent had tried cannabis, 27 per
cent magic mushrooms, 15 per cent LSD, 10 per cent ecstasy and 6 per
cent had taken heroin.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry