NEARLY 25% OF YOUNG TEENS HAVE BEEN DRUNK

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

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

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 use patterns of girls and boys, the survey showed.

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 that they couldn't tell if this was a case of kids influencing other kids or whether like-minded kids were being drawn together because they shared the same view of drinking and using drugs.

Kids from families 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.

Similarly, the young teens who did well in school were less likely to drink to the point of intoxication, but were not less likely to use drugs.

The report is based on data from the national longitudinal survey of children and youth, conducted in 1998-99.