51% of teens in south binge drinking regularly
More than half of teens in the south of the country use drugs and binge drink regularly.
That’s according to a survey of hundreds of teenagers aged between 15 and 19 from the south and south east, which found more than 50% frequently drank heavily — with a similar number regularly using drugs.
The findings were to be disclosed at a global conference on alcohol and drug use by young people today in University College Dublin.
“The research found 51% binge drank regularly which is defined as five or more drinks on one occasion once a month or more,” said a conference spokesman.
He added that 19% binge drink weekly, while 4% said they binge drink several times a week.
About 86% said they drank alcohol, and there was no significant difference between boys and girls in how much they took or at what age they first began drinking, which was 13-and-a-half on average.
On a typical drinking session the young people said they took around six drinks, with boys taking slightly more than six and girls slightly under. Almost a third said they took drink on a weekly basis.
“Getting into an argument was the most frequently reported consequence of alcohol use, experienced by 20%. Trouble at home was reported as the next most frequent consequence at 18%, and 13% reported alcohol use led to an accident or injury, getting into a physical fight, or causing damage to property,” said the spokesman.
About 50% said they had used illegal drugs, with the average age of the first occasion at just 14-and-a-half.
At 41% cannabis was the most commonly used, followed by inhalants, ‘poppers’, cocaine, sedatives, amphetamines, ecstasy and opiates.
Girls had a far higher rate of lifetime cannabis use than boys.
