Drug Misuse: children and young people

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A key source of information on illicit drug use among children and young people is the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS). Some findings from this survey are summarised below.

• There were only marginal differences between boys and girls in reported drug use in the last month.  Among 13 year olds, 4% of boys and 3% of girls reported using drugs in the last month and among 15 year olds this was 14% of boys and 12% of girls.
  
• The most commonly reported illicit drug used is cannabis. In the 2006 survey, 4% of 13 year olds and 19% of 15 year olds reported using cannabis in the last year. Two percent of 13 year olds and 9% of 15 year olds reported stimulant use in the last year.
  
• Prevalence of reported drug use in the last month among 15-year-old boys declined between 2004 and 2006: from 21% to 14% and amongst 15-year-old girls from 20% to 12%.

• Similar decreases were seen for reported drug taking in the last year and reported drug use ever.