Cannabis use among school-going teenagers in Cork is higher than among their peers and young adults nationally, research shows.
A study has found there is a low level of perceived risk by the group regarding occasional and regular cannabis use.
Almost one in five of all those surveyed supported the legalisation of cannabis — although three quarters said they were not given enough information about the drug.
A survey of more than 500 secondary school students aged 15 to 18 in Cork City and suburbs found that 39% had used cannabis at some stage in their lives.
The study found “cannabis use is very widespread among teenagers in Cork”, adding: “There are relatively low levels of perceived risk of mental and physical health problems with use of the drug.”
This compares to a lifetime prevalence of 33% among those aged 15 to 34 in Ireland, incorporating a significantly older age group.
“This is of concern in school-going teenagers as the lifetime prevalence of cannabis use may continue to increase with higher levels of education in Ireland,” the study said.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 04/08/15
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