One in nine kids takes drugs

Wednesday 13 November 2019

11% of Year 8 and 10 students said they have taken cannabis, hallucinogens, MDMA or ketamine.

The statistic, which compares with 10% in 2016, shows that local secondary school children are exposed to drugs at a young age.

The Guernsey Young People's survey for 2019 provides many insights into primary and secondary age pupils' health, wellbeing, self-esteem and use of illicit substances. 

848 Year 8 and 10 students from States schools took part, and of those:

• 35% of pupils said they are 'fairly sure' or 'certain' that they know someone who uses illegal drugs that are not medicines.
• 18% of pupils said they have been offered cannabis.
• 11% of pupils said they have taken at least one of the drugs listed [cannabis, hallucinogens, MDMA or ketamine.

Drug and Alcohol Strategy Coordinator Andrea Nightingale said alcohol consumption was decreasing, down to 14% reporting having had an alcoholic drink in the previous seven days, however there appears to be an "indifference" towards cannabis use, despite it being punishable by law.

“The general trend is continuing to show that young people in Guernsey are drinking a lot less than those in 2010 and the continued decline amongst the secondary school cohort in 2019 from 2016 is very encouraging," said Ms Nightingale. "The survey showed that 5% of respondents reported getting drunk on at least one day in the seven days prior to the survey which, whilst still of concern, is half the rate reported in the UK." 

"Information gathered by the Drug & Alcohol Strategy Action Group state that local teenagers seem to be increasingly indifferent about cannabis use, will talk about it more openly and maybe due to the changing attitudes towards cannabis in the UK and other countries, and the introduction of Cannabidiol (CBD) products young people seem to think ‘street’ cannabis is not damaging to health and that it is less harmful than alcohol. They forget that it is a Class B drug locally and therefore illegal with significant consequences if caught. AfC continue to find innovative and engaging ways of giving very clear messages around cannabis and all drug use."