New research released by Sydney rehabilitation centre Odyssey House has uncovered extremely worrying statistics surrounding Aussie kids trying drugs, which has stunned experts and parents, alike.
And for good reason.
According to The Daily Telegraph, during the centre’s “first intoxication” screenings of patients with substance addiction, it was discovered that most of them started smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol as children.
However, what experts have found more alarming is the drop in the average age as to when children experiment with drugs and alcohol; reportedly, in 2003, the average age fell between 16 and 17. Now it sits between 12 and 13.
“We have young teenagers trying alcohol and marijuana, and you hear stories of children of that age on drugs such as speed or other types of amphetamines,” says Australian Medical Association NSW president, Professor Brad Frankum.
“At that age it is a complete disaster because the brain is still developing, the habits are formed quite easily and it tends to push kids towards crime to pay for it.”
Not only that, but cannabis usage rates have dropped in the last 10 years, while, scarily, amphetamine use has tripled.
The annual report by the rehabilitation centre states that about half of those addicted to a substance entering the facility were struggling with amphetamine abuse.
“At the end of the day,” Odyssey House CEO Julie Babineau says, “people will go for a drug they can afford and try to get the drug that’s as pure as possible, and unfortunately that’s what ice offers.”
If you are concerned that your child is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, or if you would like to learn more about drug and alcohol addiction, visit Family Drug Support Australia’s website or call them on 1300 368 186 (they’re free to talk 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
