WHILE THE gender gap between drug abusers in the nation's schools is narrowing, another worrying trend has emerged.

The National Council for Drug Abuse (NCDA) reported in the National School Survey 2006 that the age for drug-use initiation is falling, with more than 39 per cent of children reporting that they consumed illegal drugs before they were 11 years old. There were also reports, although infrequently, of initiation starting at age five.

Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, director of information and research at the NCDA, pointed out that while initiation is starting at an earlier age, there are no clear reasons for this. She said that the NCDA was currently engaged in qualitative research to look more closely at the issues behind the results.

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