One in seven pupils in Wirral drinking ‘regularly’

Feb 24 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

ONE in seven Wirral pupils aged 10 to 15 ‘regularly’ drink alcohol, according to a government survey.

Around one in seven youngsters in the borough aged between 10 and 15 admit either getting drunk or taking drugs and substances, ranging from glue to crack, at least twice a month.

The statistics form part of the government’s annual Tell Us Survey which collects school pupils’ views on life, school and community.

As part of the in-depth survey, ten-year-olds are asked how regularly they use alcohol.

Older children aged 12 to 15 are asked about how often they drink and take drugs.

Drugs and substances pupils are asked if they have taken within the last four weeks include cannabis, LSD, crack, Ecstasy, heroin, glue, amphetamines and magic mushrooms.

The annual figures are compiled based on the number of pupils classed as frequent users – defined as those admitting being drunk or on drugs or a combination of the two within the last four weeks.

The figures show Wirral is the only Merseyside authority to report an annual increase, with a yearly rise from 11.1% to 13.9% “regular” alcohol/ drug users.

Wirral Council said it was still analysing the figures. But a spokesman stressed it was working closely with Merseyside police and NHS Wirral to lower substance abuse levels.

And he said the council and its partners would look to bolster educational programmes if “there is evidence of a significant increase in substance misuse among our young people”.

Reducing alcohol use among young people is a “key priority” for the council-backed Wirral Children’s Trust.

The spokesman added: “We are keenly aware of the damage that can be caused to young people by their own use of alcohol and that of adults around them.”