One in 10 'last year' primary pupils drink alcohol

One in 10 children regularly drinks alcohol while still in their last year at primary school, research suggested today.

By the age of 12 or 13, the figure has doubled, with nearly one in five classed as "drinkers", according to a report from the Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU).

And under-age girls are more likely to get drunk than boys, the research found.

The study, based on figures for more than 68,000 pupils aged 10 to 15, also found a sharp rise in the numbers of young people worried about school in the last 10 years.

The SHEU's latest report, Young People Into 2007, examined how children were faring in terms of their health, concerns and social lives.

It found that for some youngsters, drinking habits started early.

Up to 10 per cent of 10-11 year olds and 19 per cent of the 12-13 year olds had consumed at least one alcoholic drink during the week leading up to the survey.

By the time they reached 14 or 15, nearly four out of 10 pupils had been drinking during the week before they were questioned.

Dr David Regis, research manager for the project, said:

"This pattern of increasing experience with age is expected, but are we happy with the levels seen?"

Boys aged 14 and 15 were more likely to drink beer, while girls were more likely to drink spirits or wine, as well as to drink to excess.

Nearly one in four 14-15 year old girls said they had got drunk "during the last seven days" compared with one in five boys of the same age.

The research found that the pupils most commonly obtained their alcohol from an off-licence or supermarket.

Dr Regis said: "This is of course illegal, but they still keep telling us they are able to make such purchases.

"All the cigarettes, alcohol and drugs used by young people are ultimately obtained from adults."

The study found that drug use had "settled down" in recent years, although one in five 14-15 year-olds had tried cannabis.

Up to 14 per cent of 14-15 year olds have mixed drugs and alcohol at the same time.

In other findings, the report suggested that nearly one in five boys aged 14-15 carried a weapon for protection when they were going out.

While up to 63 per cent of pupils said they got enough sleep for their health, this fell to 46 per cent of 14-15 year old girls. Older pupils were also more likely to say they were too tired to concentrate at school.

Dr Regis said: "I'm not at ease with what young people are telling us - I would want many more to be confident that they were getting enough sleep."

Angela Balding, survey manager on the project, added: "Since 1996, we have noticed a marked increase in the proportion of young people who worry about school."

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