Pubdate: Sun, 11 Feb 2001
Source: Observer, The (UK)
Copyright: 2001 The Observer
Contact:  119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER, United Kingdom
Fax: 0171 713 4250/4286
Website: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/observer/
Author: Jason Burke

CONFIDENT KIDS LIKELY TO TRY DRUGS

Young people with high self-esteem are more likely to take illicit drugs 
than those whose self-confidence is low, new research has revealed.

The findings contradict the conventional wisdom that drug-taking is most 
prevalent among anxious or insecure youth looking for an escape from poor 
conditions or a way to feel better about themselves.

Instead, up to 27 per cent of young people with high self-esteem had used 
illicit substances compared with only 20 per cent of their less 
self-confident peers. Experts say the new research means an overhaul of 
drug education programmes is necessary.

The survey of 15,000 children aged 14 and 15 was conducted by the respected 
Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU) in Exeter.

On most occasions the drug tried was cannabis, though solvents and 
amphetamines also featured in responses, said David Regis, who led the 
research team.

'Unfortunately the results blow a hole in the simple moral fable that young 
people are led into the paths of righteousness by high self-esteem,' he said.

Two factors are thought to explain the results. More confident children are 
more likely to be sociable, have more money and thus have more opportunity 
to experiment with drugs. And they are also often more willing to indulge 
in 'risk-taking' activities, ranging from extreme sports to class-A drugs.

Research reveals that though youngsters who describe themselves as 
'experimental' cigarette smokers often have low self-esteem, those who call 
themselves 'committed' smokers have self-esteem levels as high or higher 
than average.

Heather Ashton, a professor of pharmacology at Newcastle University who has 
studied patterns of drug-taking among students, said last week that the 
results of the SHEU survey did not surprise her: 'Students all report they 
take drugs for pleasure and that it has nothing to do with anxiety or 
stress. Years ago young people who did [drugs] were seen as psychotic or 
low or risk-takers. Now that is not the case.'

Ashton's research shows that one in five university students says he or she 
uses cannabis at least once a week. It also shows that a typical cannabis 
joint in the Sixties contained only 10mg of a potent chemical known as THC 
which affects the brain. The typical joint now, with more sophisticated 
cultivation and plant breeding, contains more than 150mg and has a far more 
potent effect.

The report detailed the damage long-term use of cannabis can do to 
cognitive ability, memory, coordination and the cardiovascular and 
respiratory systems.
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