HALF of the country's 122,000 students use drugs regularly, according to a survey by the Union of Students of Ireland. As Britain moved to relax the laws in relation to cannabis use, the USI poll showed that one in four Irish students started taking drugs before they were 16, with 14% saying they were dependent and felt they needed help to stop. The most common drug used was cannabis, followed by ecstasy, acid, magic mushrooms, speed and cocaine. The vast majority of students were introduced to drugs by friends, with most of the drugs supplied on campus. [continues 264 words]
CHILDREN as young as nine are experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes, according to a new report. The survey also found more than one in five in the 15 to 16 year old age bracket smoke on a regular basis. A third of them are drinking and just under one in five is using drugs, particularly cannabis. Up to 5% of the teenagers polled have taken solvents, LSD, amphetamines and ecstasy. The latest figures come from two major research studies conducted in 1997 and 1998 by the Southern Health Board. The findings spurred the Board to develop new, preventative literature for schools. The `Guidelines for Schools on Developing Policy on Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug use' were launched yesterday by Health Minister, Micheal Martin, and will be distributed to all schools in the region. [continues 326 words]
THE Government has pledged its full support for a new campaign spear-headed by teachers, a nation-wide initiative which aims to rid schools of drugs and help staff identify pupils at risk from substance abuse. No school is drug free. And unless substance abuse, which is spreading like a bush fire, is tackled now, the problem will be out of hand within 20 years, a teachers' union claimed last night. But schools alone cannot tackle drug and alcohol abuse among pupils. A whole community initiative, involving parents, teachers and health boards is critical, Teachers' Union of Ireland education officer, Billy Fitzpatrick, told yesterday's 'Substance Misuse - Effective School Response' conference. [continues 248 words]
SMOKERS who've suffered lung and heart disorders are queuing up to take claims against the world's largest tobacco companies. Three legal firms are bidding to bring the test case into Irish courtrooms. All have been inundated with queries from addicts and those affected by passive smoking. Dublin firms, Ward & Fitzpatrick and Peter McDonnell are all choc-a-block with queries, as is Cork-based solicitor, Declan Guilfoyle. "We're getting 20 to 30 inquiries a day. We're putting our cases together but have no indication as to when the first case will be brought," explained Declan Guilfoyle. [continues 368 words]
Gardai believe they have smashed a major drugs ring with the discovery of 50,000 ecstasy tablets in a wood on the edge of Cork city yesterday. The biggest ever haul of the drug, which is worth up to £1 million on the streets, is the latest in a series of blows to the illegal drugs industry in Munster by the Cork Drug Squad. Three men, all from Cork and well known to gardai, were discovered trying to move the drugs from a wooded area at Kilumney, Aherla at lunch time yesterday. [continues 313 words]