YOUNG AND RESTLESS

Drug, Booze Use By Tweens Studied

STATISTICS CANADA'S first-ever national study of alcohol and drug use among young Canadian teenagers reveals a few things some parents might find unsettling.  The survey, the first the agency has done on this subject among 12- to 15-year-olds, suggests a significant proportion of kids are getting an early start on illicit substances.

In fact, 22% of kids had been drunk at least once and 19% had used marijuana.  The youngest children in the survey weren't asked about hallucinogens, but 11% of the 14- and 15-year-olds reported trying them.

GIRLS, BOYS SIMILAR

Of those in this age group who did drink, the average age at which they had their first drink was 12.4 years and the average age at which they first got drunk was 13.2 years.

The average age at which they first used drugs ranged from 13.1 years to 13.8 years, depending on the drug.

There was little difference between the usage patterns of girls and boys.

PEER PRESSURE STUDIED

Peer pressure appeared to play a role.  Kids who hung around with kids who drank or used drugs were much more likely than others their age to drink alcohol or take drugs themselves.  But the authors were quick to note they couldn't tell if this was a case of kids influencing other kids or whether like-minded kids were being drawn together.

Kids with a step-parent were twice as likely to use drugs as kids from two-parent families.  Kids who went to church regularly were less likely to drink, but were not less likely to use drugs -- a finding the authors could not explain.