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| Teen drink and drug use falling | Teen drink and drug use falling |
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| Rates of drug taking, smoking and drinking are falling among young teenagers, a national survey shows. | Rates of drug taking, smoking and drinking are falling among young teenagers, a national survey shows. |
| In 2007, 25% of the 8,000 11 to 15-year-olds surveyed by the NHS Information Centre had tried drugs at least once compared with 29% in 2001. | In 2007, 25% of the 8,000 11 to 15-year-olds surveyed by the NHS Information Centre had tried drugs at least once compared with 29% in 2001. |
| The proportion who have never drunk alcohol rose from 39% in 2003 to 46% in 2007,and there was a fall in the number who had drunk in the past week. | The proportion who have never drunk alcohol rose from 39% in 2003 to 46% in 2007,and there was a fall in the number who had drunk in the past week. |
| The government said the figures showed health messages were getting through. | The government said the figures showed health messages were getting through. |
| With 3.1 million 11 to 15-year-olds in England, the survey suggests that around 640,000 were likely to have drunk alcohol in the past seven days and 300,000 were likely to have taken drugs. | With 3.1 million 11 to 15-year-olds in England, the survey suggests that around 640,000 were likely to have drunk alcohol in the past seven days and 300,000 were likely to have taken drugs. |
| We will continue our work through FRANK, the alcohol strategy and our smoking campaigns to push the numbers down further Department of Health spokesman | We will continue our work through FRANK, the alcohol strategy and our smoking campaigns to push the numbers down further Department of Health spokesman |
| The number of teenagers who have tried smoking has also dropped from 53% in 1982 to 33% in 2007, the figures showed. | The number of teenagers who have tried smoking has also dropped from 53% in 1982 to 33% in 2007, the figures showed. |
| Around 6% of pupils smoke at least once a week, which is lower than at any time since pupils' smoking was first measured. | Around 6% of pupils smoke at least once a week, which is lower than at any time since pupils' smoking was first measured. |
| Drug use | Drug use |
| In 2007, 17% of pupils said they had taken drugs in the past year and 10% in the past month. | In 2007, 17% of pupils said they had taken drugs in the past year and 10% in the past month. |
| Cannabis is the most common drug used by 11 to 15-year-olds followed by sniffing glue, gas, aerosols or solvents. | Cannabis is the most common drug used by 11 to 15-year-olds followed by sniffing glue, gas, aerosols or solvents. |
| Although the number of teenagers who drink has fallen in recent years, there have been fluctuations in how much they are drinking. | Although the number of teenagers who drink has fallen in recent years, there have been fluctuations in how much they are drinking. |
| In 2007, those who drank in the last week consumed an average of 12.7 units, equivalent to over six pints of normal strength beer or nearly one and a half bottles of wine, slightly down on last year. | In 2007, those who drank in the last week consumed an average of 12.7 units, equivalent to over six pints of normal strength beer or nearly one and a half bottles of wine, slightly down on last year. |
| Overall, by the age of 15, 88% of pupils will have drunk alcohol, tried drugs or smoked. | Overall, by the age of 15, 88% of pupils will have drunk alcohol, tried drugs or smoked. |
| A Department of Health spokesman said the figures showed messages about the dangers of smoking are getting through to young people. | A Department of Health spokesman said the figures showed messages about the dangers of smoking are getting through to young people. |
| He added: "Since its launch five years ago, £30 million has been spent to provide friendly, confidential advice to young people about illegal drugs through FRANK. | He added: "Since its launch five years ago, £30 million has been spent to provide friendly, confidential advice to young people about illegal drugs through FRANK. |
| "We will continue our work through FRANK, the alcohol strategy and our smoking campaigns to push the numbers down further." | "We will continue our work through FRANK, the alcohol strategy and our smoking campaigns to push the numbers down further." |
| Liberal Democrat Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said: "While the fall in children experimenting with drugs is welcome, the percentage of children trying drugs is still shockingly high." |