BIG RISE IN TEEN DRUG USE

There's been a sharp rise in the number of teenagers using drugs, according
to a new report.

The National Centre for Social Research and the National Foundation for
Educational Research asked 9,000 pupils in secondary schools about their habits

Many children are regularly using drugs.

13 percent of pupils aged 11-15 have smoked cannabis in the past year.

Half of all the 15-year-olds asked had drunk alcohol in the past week.

Roger Howard, from the charity Drugscope, said the only way to try and
solve the problem is through education.

But it's not just cannabis. Many children are being offered cocaine, crack,
ecstasy and amphetamines.

*SIDEBAR*

Fact File

What they said

66% of pupils have been offered drugs

A third of 15-year-olds said they'd smoked cannabis in the past year

40% of all pupils said they'd been offered one of more drugs

Boys are more likely than girls to be offered drugs