ABSTAINING AND CAROUSING - SUBSTANCE USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE WESTERN ISLES OF SCOTLAND

An account is presented of a survey of self-reported substance use amo ng 839 adolescents in the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) of Scotland. The study group was aged 13-16. The drinking habits of those surveyed were extremely polarised. Results showed that while only 81.2% had eve r used alcohol, nearly 40% of males and a third of females reported ha ving consumed at least 11 units of alcohol on their last drinking occa sion. Levels of tobacco and illicit drug use were less striking: 21.4% considered themselves current smokers, while fewer than one-quarter h ad ever used illicit drugs or solvents. Results are related to recent UK surveys of adolescents and to the distinctive culture of the study area; It is concluded that the polarisation of youthful drinking in th e Western Isles poses special problems in relation to the provision of alcohol education.