MORE THAN HALF OF YOUTHS TRY DRUGS BEFORE 17

MORE than half the population experimented with illegal drugs before they
were 17, according to a survey.

And all but one of those questioned in the survey carried out by In Dublin
magazine had tried out drugs at some time in their lives.

The greatest number, 35%, experienced drugs in a friend's house; 10% in a
pub and 10% in a club; 15% at a party and 15% outdoors and 5% at home.

A friend was the first person to introduce the respondents to their first
recreational drug, while 77% of those surveyed said drugs did not affect
their day-to-day life, while 23% felt they did. Carried out by In Dublin
magazine and involving more than 100 people between the age of 18 and 30
years in the capital, one of the respondents said the most bizarre
experience was watching Coronation Street while on illegal drugs with
his/her parents in the same room.

About three-quarters of those who responded claimed they received their
first introduction to drugs from a friend, and 76% of those surveyed said
their first experience of drugs did not lead them on to other drugs,
although this did not prevent exactly half of them claiming that so-called
soft drugs, such as marijuana and cigarettes, were a gateway to hard drugs
like heroin and cocaine.

As for the current Independent-led campaign sweeping Britain to
decriminalise the so-called soft drug marijuana, the survey suggests that a
similar campaign here would get short-shrift, with 70% of those surveyed
saying that illegal drugs should not be decriminalised.

It would appear, says In Dublin, that the use of recreational drugs,
including alcohol and cigarettes, is very much a casual lifestyle choice.

A quarter of those surveyed use recreational drugs two to three times per
week. The vast majority claimed that ecstasy, alcohol and cigarettes in
that order were the most dangerous drugs they had ever taken. This was
reflected in the answers to the questions relating to the most frightening
experience while on drugs 97 heart palpitations and the sensation of
impending death dominated. One girl said she was arrested while under the
influence of ecstasy.

The survey showed respondents were remarkably tolerant of the most
addictive drug 97 cigarettes 97 with 86% against a total ban on the
grounds that people should be allowed kill themselves if they wanted to.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)