Generation drugZ! Coke, E and booze binges at 17
ONE in ten 17-year-olds has tried cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine – and more than half have binged on booze.
A study into Generation Z kids, who were born around 2000, reveals 31 per cent have smoked cannabis and ten per cent have taken harder drugs.
Those with highly educated parents were more likely to have tried alcohol – 89 per cent – compared with 82 per cent of teenagers whose parents had lower qualifications.
They were also more likely to binge drink five or more drinks at a time – 59 per cent against 50 per cent.
Family background played little part in drug use. Those whose parents had a degree took as much as those without.
But the Millennium Cohort Study, using data from 10,000 people, showed the influence of sex and ethnicity.
Males were more likely than females to use drugs and binge drink.
And 11 per cent of white teenagers reported taking hard drugs, compared with five per cent of their ethnic minority peers. They were also three times more likely to binge drink. Today’s 17year-olds shoplift more than when they were 14, the study showed. Seven per cent said they stole – a rise of three per cent – and those with more educated parents were more likely to steal.
But the good news is Generation Z is growing up less likely to be violent.
Those admitting pushing, slapping or punching someone fell from 32 per cent at 14 to 25 per cent at 17.
Prof Emla Fitzsimons, study co-author at University College London, said: ‘Experimental and risk-taking behaviours are an expected part of growing up and, for many, will subside in early adulthood.’
AN AERIAL shot of a line of fire tearing through the Australian bush has won the people’s choice award in the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year contest.
Robert Irwin – 17-year-old son of TV conservationist Steve Irwin – captured the fiery image on a drone in Cape York, Queensland.
The photo, which garnered 55,486 votes from around the world, reveals the line of fire splitting a pristine conservation area on one side and blackened devastation on the other.
A shortlist of 25 images, out of 49,000 submissions, was chosen by London’s Natural History Museum for a public vote.
Steve Irwin, known for his ‘Crikey’ catchphrase, died in 2006, when a stingray barb pierced his heart.
Robert said he was excited to win the award, calling his shot ‘a reminder of our effect on the
natural world and our responsibility to care for it’. Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: ‘Last year, the world stood aghast at the devastating wildfires that struck much of Australia, and this photograph depicts just one example of a staggering biodiversity loss.’ The picture will go on display when museums reopen. ‘Excited’: Robert
I work in construction and each morning I get on to a train packed mostly with other construction workers. My site, despite its best efforts, stands no chance of adequately protecting the workers as the billionaire client is demanding the work proceed as though there was no pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he sees no reason construction shouldn’t continue as normal, so there’s no furlough, yet he refuses to label us key workers. This means my children are falling massively behind in school as they are basically unsupervised during the day.
A cynic might say the working class is being thrown to the wolves for the sake of the rich and upper classes – as well as the government’s pet projects, such as HS2 and Hinkley Point power station. How is this acceptable? I feel abandoned and exploited, and also think I pose an unnecessary risk to true key workers.
Dave, Sutton
I notice that more and more windows on the upper decks of London buses are closed. Is it the drivers or maybe militant Covid deniers?
Also, more and more people get on to the bus with their mask on but, upon reaching the upper deck, take it off with the happy chuckle of the triumphant rebel. As a result, upper decks have now become the Covidiots’ lounge.
Do something, TfL. There are CCTV cameras all over the buses. Have the drivers stop the bus and call in the coppers to fine the pillocks.
Roberto, North London
It’s all very well to say that we should open schools for longer hours or run them as summer schools (MetroTalk, Tue). Everybody is talking about the poor teachers – well, I work in two schools doing kitchen and cleaning jobs. All us staff have worked throughout this pandemic.
We haven’t even had a mention. Don’t forget what we have done to keep your kids in school and now are we expected to do even more? And all this on minimum wage?
I think we deserve a break too.
Janet, West Yorkshire
Like everyone, I want the lockdown to be eased and then over as soon as possible. However, I would rather wait until it is safe to do so than have it end early, to be followed by a third wave and yet another lockdown.
Hopefully, the government has learnt from past mistakes and will not try to rush the situation. It would be far safer to ease the lockdown very slowly.
Paul, London
Alan of West Hampstead (MetroTalk, Mon) rightly points out that the behindthe-curve Tories should have a new slogan in ‘Better late than never’. And Boris Johnson, who often likes to call Sir Keir Starmer Captain Hindsight, should have a new name too: Corporal Catch Up!
Alan, North London
Since the beginning of this pandemic, there has been insufficient strong leadership from the government. Information has been insufficient and vague. Test centres should have been set up immediately, along with inoculation centres in every town and village.
It should have been made clear that face masks must be worn at all times outside, that lockdown means exactly that – except for food or medicines, no one goes out unless it’s an emergency.
The information/guidance from the government has been wishy-washy and, in some cases, left open to individual interpretation. People have been let down by this government, as history will prove.
David P Clapp, Rustington