Jo Daykin: "Collective responsibility"

Northern Ireland's Drug Strategy Co-Ordinator Jo Daykin said the survey was "a mixed bag".

"What we have is an increase in our teenagers using illicit drugs but if you look beyond that fact what you see is that a lot of that use is experimentation and the levels of sustained use is actually quite low," she said.

"In terms of alcohol, what we have again is a higher number of non-drinkers among our teenage population but those teenagers who are drinking are drinking to get drunk and they are drinking really quite dangerous levels of alcohol at times."

The report indicated that a fifth of the students were daily smokers, and that most smokers had tried their first cigarette by the age of 13.

The number of girls using drugs has risen significantly since 1995.

The 15 - 16-year-olds questioned indicated a regular consumption of drugs, and 40% of boys and 30% of girls reported having taken cannabis, solvents and ecstasy.

'Serious health issue'

Despite the report's findings that less than 1% of teenagers said they inject drugs, heroin and cocaine use was about 2% to 3% among boys and girls.

"I think one thing that we have to learn in Northern Ireland is that this is a problem that is bigger than an individual an agency or one department.

"It is a matter of collective responsibility and it is a matter of all of us getting together and working together to address these worrying trends," added Ms Daykin.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety research is part of a nationwide survey, which the authors have described as a "very serious health issue".

The research was carried out between March and June 1999.

Dr Joe Hendron, chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly's health committee has said the findings should be addressed by both the health and education departments in Stormont.

The SDLP assembly member for west Belfast said the information must be acted on.