DRUG USE RISES FOR TEEN GIRLS

AUSTRALIAN and American teenage girls have caught up with boys in
levels of illicit drug and alcohol use, a US drug trends researcher
says. Girls' use of methamphetamines, ecstasy and alcohol was almost
equal to boys' level of use, or in some cases even higher, according
to Professor Jane Maxwell of the University of Texas.

"Teenage girls are catching up with or exceeding boys in some of
their use of some of the drugs in both countries," Prof Maxwell said
at a University of Queensland seminar on Wednesday.

"We need to quit thinking of girls as not being at as high a risk as
boys."

Prof Maxwell has been researching international drug trends for
several years and has worked at Queensland University of Technology
on a scholarship.

She compared a recent Federal Government-funded national drug
strategy household survey, with a similar national American survey.

Prof Maxwell said girls faced some drug and alcohol-related risks
that boys did not have, in terms of sexual assault.

"The number of standard drinks recommended for girls is less than it
is for boys," Prof Maxwell said.

"We have in the past targeted messages about date rape.

"But a lot of research shows girls, before they are assaulted, have
been drinking very, very heavily.

"Girls need to be aware they are putting themselves at risk just
through heavy drinking – whether or not somebody slips a pill
in their drink."

Prof Maxwell said that in 1998 Australia had a much higher level of
illicit drug use than the US.

"Overall I have seen a decrease in drug use in Australia and fairly
stable levels in the US," she said.

"We are beginning to see the emergence in both countries of people
who are very impaired from cannabis use."

Prof Maxwell said Australia had a higher level of methamphetamine and
ecstasy use, while the US had higher levels of cocaine use and
hallucinogenic drug use.

"The use of heroin is about equal in both countries," she said.