IT IS very clear that a drugs culture has developed among young people across the North.
More worrying, however, is the fact that many teenagers are becoming increasingly blasé regarding its dangers.
Many seem to forget that it is a small step from cannabis to ecstasy and an even smaller step to hard drugs such as heroin and cocain
e.
One only has to view the conclusions of a recent report on underage drinking and drug taking in the North to realise that what we are dealing with is a very real problem.
The Department of Health report revealed that four in every ten boys and three in every ten girls between the ages of 15 and 16 have used cannabis and regularly drink alcohol.
Although just the tip of the iceberg, these shocking facts prove beyond doubt that there is an urgent need to effectively tackle underage drinking and drug taking among young people.
While parents and schools are rightly worried about the effects of drug use and drug crime, it is also worth remembering that alcohol is more widely available and abused by the young.
It is crucial that young people are made aware of the effects of alcohol and drug abuse. Indeed, there is a need for parents and teachers to take a proactive role in educating young people.
Our young people are our greatest asset and society as a whole must do all it can to check the growth of drug and alcohol abuse among them.
