Tide Is Turning In The Fight Against Substance Misuse Amongst Young People, UK
03/30/07
Almost half of young people aged between 11 and 15 have never had a
proper alcoholic drink, six out of ten have never smoked and drug
taking prevalence has dropped, according to a national school survey (UK).
Almost half of young people aged between 11 and 15 have never had a
proper alcoholic drink, six out of ten have never smoked and drug
taking prevalence has dropped, according to a national school survey (UK).
The key findings of the survey are:
-- In 2006, 21 per cent drank alcohol in the previous week, dropping
from 26 per cent in 2001. Almost half of the young people surveyed
said they had never had a proper alcoholic drink.
-- The survey also found that in 2006, 61 per cent of pupils said they
had never smoked. The proportion who have never smoked rose from 47
per cent in 1982 to 61 per cent in 2004 and has remained at a similar
level since. This means the Government has continually met the target
of reducing the numbers of young smokers to nine per cent by 2010,
ahead of schedule for the past three years.
-- Drug taking prevalence among children is down from last year with 17
per cent admitting to taking drugs in the last year, down from 19 per
cent in 2005. Nine per cent had taken drugs in the last month, also
lower than the proportion who had done so in 2005. (11 per cent)
-- Four per cent said they usually took drugs once a month or more
often, a decrease from six per cent in 2005.
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint has welcomed the many
encouraging findings in the new survey which show inroads are being
made in the fight against smoking, drug and alcohol misuse amongst
young people, and has spoken of her commitment to continuing the work
that still needs to be done to protect and help children.
Ms Flint said:
"This survey has revealed some very encouraging results. Six out of
ten children have never smoked. Drug taking prevalence among children
is down from last year. And the number of young people who have drunk
alcohol in the last week, has dropped from 26 per cent in 2001 to 21
per cent in 2006.
"This demonstrates that our policies are having a real impact in
terms of tackling substance misuse amongst young people.
"Despite these promising figures, we are not complacent - just one
young person smoking or misusing alcohol or drugs is one too many.
"In terms of alcohol and young people it is vital that we make
children aware of the sensible drinking message from an early age so
that as adults, they will be responsible drinkers. We are raising
this awareness through our high profile Know Your Limits responsible
drinking campaign.
" We will help cut the numbers of young smokers through raising the
minimum age of sale of tobacco products from 16 - 18 years old, which
will come into effect from 1 October 2007. And on 1 July 2007
virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces will become
smokefree. This will mean that not only will people be protected from
the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, it will also help
denormalise smoking and make smoking less attractive to young
people.
"We are committed to ensuring that progress is maintained and we are
working closely with colleagues in the Home Office and DfES to ensure
that we develop policies that best support the needs of young
people."
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said;
"Today's results demonstrate the real impact of our unparalleled
investment in work to reduce drug misuse by young people.
"This success is due to the Frank education campaign and the local
professionals who work hard to divert young people from taking drugs
through prevention, education, support and targeted intervention.
"However, the cost of drug misuse to people, families and communities
cannot be underestimated. We are exploring how the future drug
strategy can build on local success to tackle drugs and make
communities even safer."
-- The stats are taken from the headline results of the Smoking
Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England in 2006 survey,
published by the Information Centre. This is an annual survey of
secondary school pupils aged 11 - 15.