YOUNG TURN TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL

A THIRD of WA teenagers drink at least once a week and more than 40 per
cent use cannabis regularly, research from charity body Mission Australia
shows.

The research found one in four 12 to 16-year-olds experienced a mental
health problem, mostly depression.

It found young people used substances to deal with family breakdown, mental
health issues and unemployment.

Mission Australia WA manager Anne Russell-Brown said substance abuse and
leaving school early were sometimes signs that young people felt
disconnected socially.

The research found that family breakdown was the most common cause of young
people leaving school early. It was a big factor in youth homelessness,
which increased risks of violence, health problems and drug and alcohol misuse.

It also cut employment chances.

The research showed that 33.9 per cent of West Australians aged 14 to 19
had at least one alcoholic drink a week.

WA figures for regular and occasional drinking were higher than the
national average. The study found 43 per cent of WA 14 to 19-year-olds used
cannabis regularly. Tobacco was smoked by 47.2 per cent.

Mission Australia's annual youth appeal started yesterday. It will run for
a month and will focus on keeping youth connected with the community.