Jan 4, 2012 ... Media. Information. For immediate use. Press statement. Survey into adolescent
lifestyle and substance use. Statement by Dr Maggie Watts, ...
Media Information
Press statement
For immediate use
Survey into adolescent lifestyle and substance use Statement by Dr Maggie Watts, Assistant Director of Public Health We welcome the publication of the report into the 2010 Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS). It provides us with a wide-ranging picture of young people’s behaviours, at 13 and 15 years of age, as identified by the young people themselves.
Overall the information in the most recent report is more encouraging than negative, and is in keeping with Scottish data.
Tobacco smoking remains the single largest cause of preventable disease in Ayrshire and Arran; while problems associated with alcohol use and illicit drug use place significant burdens on health, welfare and justice services. Patterns of substance use tend to be established in early life and the regular study of the behaviours of school children is therefore of considerable importance.1
In 2010, the survey indicates that prevalence of smoking has fallen in both age groups studied, with 13-year-olds in Ayrshire and Arran now less likely to be smokers than the Scottish average. The prevalence of alcohol use has also fallen in both age groups, in line with national data, and the prevalence of illegal drugs has shown little change, with use of most drugs remaining at one per cent, in line with national data. One exception is that of cannabis, which shows a rise in use by 15-year-olds from 9 per cent to 11 per cent, though there is an overall reduction in girls’ use of cannabis.
Of some concern are the indicators relating mainly to girls’ behaviours, with slower reductions in smoking and drinking from 2006 to 2010 compared with boys’. Girls now are as likely to get drunk as boys and more likely to view it as okay to try being drunk. They are also more likely than boys to have taken five or more drinks on any one occasion and to have experienced effects such as vomiting or having an argument when drunk.
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There is some evidence in the report of the impact of educational input on these topics, with at least 72 per cent of young people feeling that their school provided them with the advice and support needed to make important decisions about smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Overall, the report presents a more encouraging than negative picture about the behaviours of our young people. It will help us to ensure that the services the NHS provides are shaped to meet these needs – examples include health promotion and educational input into schools, access to alcohol and drug treatment services for young people, stop smoking services and support for alcohol, tobacco and drug issues. The information contained in the report will also be of benefit to the local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in helping shape and implement their local alcohol and drug strategies.
ends
Date of release: Wednesday 4 January 2012 Notes to editors 1 The Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS ) has been carried out at intervals since 2002. It lets us look at how young people’s behaviours have changed over the years, reflecting their cultural surroundings, family pressures and school input, among other influences. For more information contact: May Smith Head of Communications NHS Ayrshire & Arran Crosshouse Hospital Kilmarnock KA2 0BE Telephone: 01563 826107 Out of hours: 07769 648975
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Press statement
