NT YOUNG TOP DRUG LIST

FOUR out of 10 Territory males aged between 15 and 24 use cannabis, a
national report has revealed.

The report also said the Territory had the highest prevalence of illicit
drug use among young people for cannabis, amphetamines, opiates and
injected drugs.

Young NT men were the most prolific users of cannabis in the country with
41 per cent of 16,020 young men using the drug, the report said.

The figure was 10 per cent higher than the national rate, according to the
Foundation for Young Australians' Profile of Young Australians released
last week.

The Territory also stood out as having the highest death rate for young men
between 15 to 24.

Foundation for Young Australians lead researcher Susan Pitman said that
nationally, statistics in youth suicide, death by accident and drug use by
young people were improving, but not in the NT.

"The incidents (of death, drug use and anti-social behaviour) seem to be
higher in the Territory and those indicators are definitely worrying," she
said.

Ms Pitman said illicit activity such as drug use could be a reflection of
"local culture, opportunity and boredom".

"It is true that a lack of leisure activities may have a significant impact
on young people engaging in anti-social activities," she said.

"Obviously the disadvantage experienced by a lot of Indigenous youth does
have an influence on some of the NT statistics ... but it's not only the
Indigenous population, it's across the board.

"Territory young people are least likely to live at home, the NT is poorer
on school retention rates and the number of young people in poverty."

The Profile of Young Australians was intended to provide a snapshot of
young Australians in a range of areas from health, lifestyle, leisure
activities, family, work, education and young people and the law. The
500-page report, compiled over nine months last year, examines a decade of
statistics from the early 90s to the end of 2002.

Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Young Territorians Marion
Scrymgour told the Sunday Territorian the figures were "a real concern".

"It is certainly something we are taking a seriously and our policy of
Building Healthier Communities is focusing on that," she said.

Ms Scrymgour said she believed involving youth to find the solutions was
the answer.

"The involvement of youth is crucial in the development of policy and how
programs are delivered," she said.

"The Chief Minister's Youth Round Table is providing recommendations and
their views are being taken seriously."