Alcohol, Drugs & the Law: For Parents - Queensland Police Service

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Patterns of alcohol and other drug use by young Australians Alcohol and other drug use by young Australians: Eight out of every ten Australian secondary students aged between 12 and 17 years of age have tried alcohol at some time in their lives, with fewer than 20% of all 17 year old students reporting that they have consumed alcohol at risky levels in the past week. Most high school students will obtain their alcohol from their parents or friends and are most likely to drink alcohol in the home or at a party. The proportion of secondary school students reporting to have smoked tobacco in the past year increases from 5% of 12 year olds to 31% of 17 year olds. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance among secondary school students. Over one in four 17 year olds reported having used cannabis, most commonly whilst at a friend’s place or a party. By the age of 17, almost one in four Australian secondary students will have used inhalants, one in ten will have used ecstasy, 5.2% will have used hallucinogens and 3.7% will have used amphetamines. In total almost one in four 14-17 year olds reported having used an illicit drug. 3.2% of 14-17 year olds reported the use of pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes. The pharmaceuticals most likely to have been used were analgesics (pain killers) followed by tranquillisers (sleeping pills). Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2009) ‘Australian secondary school students’ use of tobacco, alcohol, and overthe-counter and illicit substances in 2008’ and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) ‘2010 National drug strategy household survey report.’
The harms associated with alcohol and other drug use The harms associated with alcohol and other drug use vary according to many factors (e.g. the physical and mental health of the individual user, the drug being used and the setting in which the drug use is taking place), but can include: Inappropriate sexual or violent behaviour, drowning, or being injured (e.g. in a motor vehicle accident). Medical complications (e.g. damage to the liver, brain, lungs), coma or death. Unsafe use or experimentation with other drugs. Alcohol and other drugs can interact with each other, which can amplify the effects of the drugs, increase the risk of overdose or result in adverse and unpredictable reactions between the substances being used. Problems with social, school, or family relationships (e.g. conflict with parents, becoming involved with peer groups that foster heavy drinking and other drug use). A drop in school performance including attendance, grades, test scores and the ability to pay attention in class. Psychiatric problems, including alcohol/drug dependence, psychosis, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, particularly in people with a family history of mental illness. Drug use may also bring young people into contact with the police and the courts. This contact can have significant social and personal consequences. If your child is using drugs they are at risk of harm. Even if they have never used drugs, there is a good chance that they will encounter situations where there are pressures to try different drugs, or at the very least be around others who are experimenting. Source: Australian Drug Foundation (2011) ‘DrugInfo: drug facts’ and Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2011) ‘National drugs campaign’
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Alcohol, Drugs & the Law: For Parents - Queensland Police Service

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