Alarming findings Editorial Guyana Chronicle September 1, 1998 A SURVEY by the Division of Health Education of the Health Ministry has found that the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is at an alarming level among school-aged children in Guyana. According to the study, young people from the rural and urban areas use cocaine and marijuana so that they could be accepted as part of the `crowd'. The study was conducted to determine, among other things, the level of awareness of substances among children, students' knowledge of the effects of drugs on behaviour, and to find out the students' reason for using substances. More than 60 per cent of the respondents admitted using alcohol, 25 per cent had used marijuana, 17 per cent of the students used tobacco and one per cent said they had used cocaine, tranquilisers and amphetamines. As the report in last Sunday's Chronicle noted, perhaps the most significant finding of the survey was that 54 per cent of the students said that if they were using drugs, they would not admit it. The ministry said the responses of the students confirm that cocaine and marijuana are available at places frequented by young people. "This easy access and availability put young people at greater risk and make them more vulnerable to drug use", the report stated. The authorities here have to sit up and take note of the warning that the abuse of drugs is fairly widespread in Guyana and the urgent need for the implementation of appropriate measures to target the most vulnerable groups. A critical segment of the population is at risk and the time for action is now.