Pubdate: Sun, 27 Nov 2005
Source: Independent on Sunday (UK)
Copyright: Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/208
Author: Jonathan Thompson and Marie Woolf
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

TEEN BRITAIN: THE SHOCKING TRUTH

Exclusive Report Reveals the Crisis Among Teenagers Caused by Their 
Growing Addiction to Drink and Drugs. Experts Warn of 'Health Time 
Bomb' As Ministers Consider Forcing GPs to Report Under-Age Sex to 
Police and Social Workers

Teenagers are facing what medical experts warn is "a mental health 
time bomb" caused by the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

New figures show that the use of drink and drugs has become common 
among children as young as 13, with one expert saying alcohol, 
cocaine and marijuana are "as ubiquitous as traffic on the streets".

Doctors and counsellors say that record numbers of stressed-out 
adolescents are becoming addicts as they struggle to cope with the 
trauma of family break-up, exam pressures and the ever-growing 
obsession with body image.

The use of drink and drugs is also fuelling a growing problem of sex 
among young teenagers. Ministers are now considering forcing doctors 
to breach confidentiality with young patients if they believe they 
are having under-age sex.

72% Alcohol

The proportion of 14-year-olds who have drunk alcohol. Almost half of 
all 13-year-olds have also tried it. Mental health experts say people 
drinking at that age are four times more likely to become alcoholics.

36% Drugs

The proportion of 15-year-olds who have tried cocaine or cannabis. 
Addiction experts say there is clear evidence that young people using 
drugs are more likely to suffer from psychiatric disorders in later life

32% Sex

The proportion of 15-year-olds who have had sexual intercourse, with 
more than one in 10 saying they felt pressured into it by peers. 
Doctors say the trend is fuelling an explosion in sexually transmitted diseases

25% Suicide

The proportion of girls aged 15 who have considered killing 
themselves or indulged in significant attempts at self-harm. Almost 
one in 10 blamed bullying and violence for their low self-esteem and depression 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake