Drug Use, Smoking and Drinking Among Young Teenagers in 1999

The purpose of this survey is to give a comprehensive picture of drug use among secondary school children aged 11-15 and to monitor smoking and drinking in this age group. The results are based on information collected from more than 9,000 children in 340 schools in England. The report covers topics such as children’s first experiences of drugs, attitudes towards drugs and drug users, and children’s smoking and drinking habits. The survey shows that more than one in ten children have used drugs in the last year with cannabis use the most widespread. This is only the second in this series of surveys in which questions about drug use had been included so opportunities for comparison are limited, but the general picture show small increases in use among both boys and girls, particularly those aged 14 and 15. Drug use is shown to be significantly lower among pupils in schools in deprived areas than among those from non-deprived areas - 10 per cent as opposed to 13 per cent.