PATTERNS OF COMMON-DRUG USE IN TEENAGERS

To ascertain current levels of drug use among teenagers and to examine interrelationships in use, a two stage cluster sample of Victorian se condary school students in years 7 (aged 12 to 13 years), 9 (14 to 15 years) and 11 (16 to 17 years) were surveyed using a questionnaire on computer. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption were evaluated by self-r eported frequency of use and seven-day retrospective diaries. Marijuan a and coffee consumption were assessed by self-reported frequency of r ecent use. The questionnaire was completed by 2525, a participation ra te of 83 per cent. Tobacco use rose with year, with 24 per cent of you ng women and 16 per cent of young men in year 11 being regular smokers . Trends across year level for heavier alcohol consumption were also o bserved, with just under 10 per cent of year 11 students reporting a w eekly consumption higher than the current recommended guidelines for a dults. Strong interrelationships in drug use were found, with a patter n of association between smoking and drinking consistent with a mutual elevation of risk. Frequent use of tobacco and alcohol had a high ris k for associated marijuana use. Coffee consumption carried a significa nt independent association with regular smoking. Teenage substance use is common and most occurs at low level and frequency. However, for a substantial and increasing minority across the teenage years, high lev els of tobacco and alcohol consumption potentially compromise health. Frequent alcohol or tobacco use rather than heavy intermittent consump tion is most likely to be associated with concurrent substance use pot entially damaging to health.