More children being offered drugs

Cannabis is the most common drug offered to children.

More children are being offered drugs, according to research by an Exeter-based government unit.

The Schools Health Education Unit says an increasing number of young people appear to be taking them.

However the report also shows they are becoming more confident about refusing them if they want to.

The survey suggests this may be because schools have improved their education of how to deal with peer group pressure and decline the drugs.

Statistical increase

Dr David Regis - who carried out the research - said: "Schools have picked up the baton since the late 80s and we can pick up the improvements in youngsters' awareness and the best schools will be concerned to do things about refusal skills as well."

The Schools Health Education Unit has been tracking young people's experience of illegal drugs since 1987.

Children are more likely to be offered drugs than they were then - close to half of 14 and 15-year-olds say they have been offered cannabis and about 20% say they have been offered other drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy or heroin.

When the survey started in 1987 just 2% of 14 and 15-year-olds had tried drugs at least once - now the figure is over 25%.