Marijuana 'drug of choice' for teens

[Mushaman]

not its not TP .. its me ::

just thought there were some interesting stats in this story .. very interesting :scratchin especially ...

However, one in four, or 27 per cent, wanted marijuana legalised.

 

 

Marijuana 'drug of choice' for teens

 

22nov05

 

MARIJUANA is the drug of choice for Australian teenagers, with more than 5 per cent of 12-to-15-year-olds having already tried it.

 

A key report on drug use in Australia, released today by the Federal Government, finds that one in 14 (7.2 per cent) of 12- to 15-year-olds tried illicit drugs last year.

 

While 5.2 per cent indulged in marijuana, 2 per cent tried to get a kick from painkillers or analgesics and just over 1 per cent opted for inhalants.

 

"Still, two in three (64.8 per cent) had never had a full glass of alcohol and almost all (95.7 per cent) had never smoked a cigarette," said David Batts, author of the 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

 

Illicit drug use was more common among older teens, with 20.9 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds and 30.8 per cent of 18-to-19-year-olds trying everything from marijuana to speed and heroin.

 

Marijuana was the most popular drug among both groups of older teens, with 18 per cent of 16-to-17-year-olds having tried it and 26.5 per cent of 18 and 19-year-olds having dabbled in it.

 

Speed (methamphetamine) and ecstasy were also popular, while less than half a per cent of all teens had tried heroin.

 

The report finds the average age to first try marijuana was 14 years and nine months, while for tobacco, painkillers and inhalants it was slightly younger at just over 13.

 

Most teens were supplied with their illicit drugs by friends or acquaintances.

 

Eighty per cent of 12-to-15-year-olds said they decided to try illicit drugs because they were curious, while peer pressure was the greatest factor for older teens.

 

For those who had not used any illicit drugs, most said they were worried about health problems or becoming addicted.

 

Smoking was found to be more popular among older teens, while almost a third of 12-to-15-year-olds and more than 55 per cent of 16-to-17-year-olds drank occasionally (less than weekly).

 

On a wider analysis of Australians of all ages, the report finds that of the 3.4 million smokers, 84 per cent smoked daily and averaged 14 cigarettes.

 

Almost 9 per cent of people drank daily, with 20 per cent saying they drank heavily once a month or more.

 

One in seven people aged 14 and over had used illicit drugs in the past 12 months, with marijuana having the highest personal approval of all illicit drugs followed by pharmaceuticals such as painkillers, steroids and barbiturates.

 

The report also finds 92 per cent of Australians supported stricter enforcement of laws against supplying tobacco to minors and almost 90 per cent said they wanted tougher drink driving penalties introduced.

 

However, one in four, or 27 per cent, wanted marijuana legalised.

 

 

[bongonaussie]

The report finds the average age to first try marijuana was 14 years and nine months, while for tobacco, painkillers and inhalants it was slightly younger at just over 13.

These figures are AVERAGE ages.. :scratchin.. Man they start young these days.. :smoke

[WantDaChronic]

well if you think that those ages are young for kids to be getting into drugs, just look around clothing shops next time you go to a shopping mall....I bet you notice heaps of children 14 and under dressed like prostitutes, 12 and under if you hang around junky jewelry stores :angry:

 

while i find drug use in minors a tad disturbing, I find children dressed like that revolting and cant help but to say skank every time i walk past a 12yo dressed like a pro

[Guest niall]

However, one in four, or 27 per cent, wanted marijuana legalised.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Imagine if 27% of Australians voted for the Australian Marijuana Party... An organised media campaign encouraging Australians not to vote for the 2 main parties, and to instead lodge a protest vote for the Marijuana Party, if sufficiently funded.... now that would be a very interesting thing

[HighRising]

"Marijuana 'drug of choice' for teens"

 

And adults, too

[dsyfer]

Sorry, I can't believe those type of reports, why. when I was a teen I use to fill out those questionaires, along with all my friends, who would then have a big laugh as to all the things they bullshitted about on the form. I know the world has changed but I still don't believe that there are many (average age) 13 year olds using inhalants and painkillers, sure there will be some but not many, like I said it use to be cool to bullshit those type of questions.

 

2 cents

[Mushaman]

mate, you're right (I reckon) just cant believe those ages .. seem to remember doing a bit of bullshitery myself on surveys :: hadnt thought of it for ... ever :: :wheelchair

[WantDaChronic]

i remember doing 1 drug survey at high school and i bullshitted to the extent that my school was worried that kids in my year were doing crack, herion, etc. and started up a week long drug awareness week i think lots of people must have bullshitted for that to start up but that was the only survey of any description i have done about drugs...

 

i honestly dont think these results are even accurate, when you think about it, they probably only do a few high schools and tally up the results to get an average for the country....if they picked a few hick towns to survey, drug use would be heaps higher than what it will be if they picked a selective or religous school....imagine if they only surveyed 100 hick town schools and used that as the nations average, that would make the results appear as if australia's youth have serious drug problems and that action needs to be taken before australia is just a big bunch of druggos

[dsyfer]

"imagine if they only surveyed 100 hick town schools and used that as the nations average, that would make the results appear as if australia's youth have serious drug problems and that action needs to be taken before australia is just a big bunch of druggos"

 

Exactly what they want