SUICIDE LINK TO ALCOHOL BY BOYS

SUICIDAL behaviour increases in adolescent boys as they become more
dependent on drink and drugs, researchers have found.

The main casual factor associated with threatened or attempted suicide was
alcohol, but cannabis was also strongly linked.

Dr Eric Fombonne, from the Institute of Psychiatry in London, analysed data
on 6,091 boys and girls aged eight to 18 referred to psychiatric services
between 1970 and 1990.

Increased rates of suicidal behaviour in adolescent boys during the study
period were linked to an increase in the rate of drug misuse.

Male suicidal behaviour rose steadily from 8.8% in 1979-81 to 16% in
1988-90, almost matching an increase in substance abuse from 7.8% to 14%.

Girls showed no increase in suicidal behaviour and no increase in drug abuse.

Analysis of a random sample of 80 cases found that alcohol was the most
frequently misused substance (74%), followed by cannabis (60%), solvents
(39%), and amphetamines (28%).

The findings were published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

A statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which produces the
journal, said: ''The author concludes that suicidal male adolescents should
be systematically screened for drug and alcohol misuse."

It also urges that suicide prevention programmes should target specially
youths who misuse drugs and alcohol.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)