Pubdate: Mon, 06 May 2002
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/71
Author: Peter Clack

INJECTORS YOUNG AS 12: STUDY

Almost 5 per cent of Canberra's 27,800 secondary students, some as young as 
12, have admitted in a Health Department survey to using needles to inject 
heroin or cocaine.

At least 15 per cent of students sampled said they had used illicit drugs 
the previous week and 2 per cent admitted to sharing needles.

The survey, issued yesterday by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, shows that 
more than half of all Canberra high-school students admitted using illicit 
drugs.

Close to a third of all students had used cannabis, one in four had tried 
inhalants, 10 per cent tranquillisers and 14 per cent other illicit drugs: 
hallucinogens (7.1 per cent), amphetamines (7.7 per cent), ecstasy (4.6 
percent), cocaine (4.7 per cent), heroin (4.1 per cent) and steroids (3.6 
per cent).

The survey showed that students aged 15 and over were more likely to use 
these drugs.

Of the needle users, 25 per cent got their needles from a needle-exchange 
service. Sixteen-year-old males (59.6 per cent) and 15-year-old females 
(65.6 per cent) reported trying an illicit drug at least once.

Mr Stanhope described the survey findings as "frightening".

The 1999 survey by the ACT Department of Health and Community Care 
questioned students on their use of illicit drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.

It did show slight falls (about 6 per cent) for some substance abuse 
compared with a previous 1996 survey.

The survey reaffirms widespread illegal behaviour by children aged from 12 
to 17 despite comprehensive school programs warning them of the dangers of 
drug-taking. Mr Stanhope said the survey had revealed some disturbing 
information, especially that more than half of all students had admitted 
using illicit drugs at some time in their lives.

"While the survey results are nothing to gloat about, they do show a high 
level of awareness of the dangers of drugs among our student population," 
Mr Stanhope said. "All our schools have awareness programs about the 
dangers of illicit drugs, smoking and alcohol. We have a range of programs 
aimed at helping young people with problematic drug use."

Liberal Party Deputy Leader Brendan Smyth said that while he had not seen 
the survey, he had great concerns about anybody using drugs, especially 
high-school students. "I urge the Government to take appropriate action," 
he said.

The survey also found widespread drinking and smoking by students.

About 90 per cent admitted to drinking alcohol or smoking and half of all 
students believed getting drunk occasionally was acceptable behaviour. Up 
to 45 per cent of boys and 27 per cent of girls said drinking was the best 
way to relax: 86 per cent of 12-year-old male students and 96.3 per cent of 
17-year-olds said they had tried alcohol at least once.

About 30 per cent of students aged 12 had smoked, and 60 per cent of all 
students said they'd smoked in the previous week.

The students come from all government, Catholic and independent schools in 
the ACT.
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