YOUNG AND RESTLESS

Drug, Booze Use By Tweens Studied

STATISTICS CANADA'S first-ever national study of alcohol and drug use among
young Canadian teenagers reveals a few things some parents might find
unsettling. The survey, the first the agency has done on this subject among
12- to 15-year-olds, suggests a significant proportion of kids are getting
an early start on illicit substances.

In fact, 22% of kids had been drunk at least once and 19% had used
marijuana. The youngest children in the survey weren't asked about
hallucinogens, but 11% of the 14- and 15-year-olds reported trying them.

GIRLS, BOYS SIMILAR

Of those in this age group who did drink, the average age at which they had
their first drink was 12.4 years and the average age at which they first got
drunk was 13.2 years.

The average age at which they first used drugs ranged from 13.1 years to
13.8 years, depending on the drug.

There was little difference between the usage patterns of girls and boys.

PEER PRESSURE STUDIED

Peer pressure appeared to play a role. Kids who hung around with kids who
drank or used drugs were much more likely than others their age to drink
alcohol or take drugs themselves. But the authors were quick to note they
couldn't tell if this was a case of kids influencing other kids or whether
like-minded kids were being drawn together.

Kids with a step-parent were twice as likely to use drugs as kids from
two-parent families. Kids who went to church regularly were less likely to
drink, but were not less likely to use drugs -- a finding the authors could
not explain.