STUDY REVEALS TEEN CANNABIS USE

One in five 15-year-olds have admitted using drugs - mostly cannabis - on a
regular basis, according to figures.

The findings were largely the same as in 2002, despite government anti-drug
campaigns. The figures were disclosed in the Scottish Schools Adolescent
Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey.

The survey also found that drugs were now preferred over cigarettes by
teenage boys and 15-year-old girls drink more often than young males. Of the
7,000 teenagers questioned, 20% of teenagers said they had taken drugs in
the month before the survey was carried out. Admitted smoking Experts found
as many as 7% of 13-year-olds admitted taking drugs. Cannabis was the drug
of choice, rather than tobacco, for 15-year-old boys. Smoking cigarettes was
still more popular among girls, of whom 24% admitted smoking. The study
found that 46% of girls and 40% of boys admitted drinking alcohol in the
week before they were quizzed by researchers. However smoking, drinking and
taking drugs appeared to be on the decline among 13-year-olds.

The findings followed a study which suggested that alcohol may be a greater
problem than drugs for young teenagers.

The research was published in January by Health Scotland.