One in two fifth-formers are regular drinkers

A recently commissioned survey has revealed that a staggering 50% of teenagers aged between 15 and 16 in the Greater Belfast area regularly drink alcohol.

The survey, undertaken by researchers from the Royal Victoria Hospital and Queen's University, also found that binge drinking was a growing problem after surveying hundreds of fifth form school pupils.

The survey also found that:

• 90% of young people questioned had drunk alcohol
• 50% said they were regular drinkers
• 40% said they had been drunk in the previous month
• 25% of those surveyed had been in some sort of trouble with police after drinking alcohol

The survey began after Dr John Marley, dental surgeon at Royal Victoria Hospital, became concerned at the number of young patients being treated for knife and glass injuries.

(MB)