Pubdate: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 Source: BBC News (UK Web) Copyright: 2004 BBC Contact: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) 'PRESSURED' TEENS FAKE DRUG USE One fifth of young people say their friends pretend to take drugs to look cool, according to a survey. Their friends were pressured into faking drug-taking in order to fit in with their peers, they said. Teenagers in the south east of England were the most likely to exaggerate their drugs experience, a report by helpline Frank said. And boys were twice as likely as girls to pretend they had taken drugs, the report found. 'Positive' Results Frank spokesman Darren Hall said report could be seen in a more positive light. "It is encouraging that while young people may talk about drug-taking, they aren't necessarily experimenting with drugs themselves," he said. "However, it's important to get the facts about drugs rather than relying on hearsay or urban myths. "Drugs can be dangerous and taking them is not a fashion statement." More than 1,000 11 to 18-year-olds in the UK were questioned for the report. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager