BRITAIN’S 13-year-olds are the worst in the Western world for getting drunk, a study revealed yesterday.

They also rate their health as “poorly” – and find it hard to talk to parents.

Stats ... who boozes at 13

English and Welsh children aged 15 feel more “pressured” by school work than kids anywhere else except Portugal.

The study was based on interviews with 240,000 youngsters aged 11, 13 and 15 in 41 countries in Europe and North America.

It found Wales worst for drinking – more than a quarter of all children had been drunk at least twice by age 13. The Scots were second, English fourth and Estonians third.

Cannabis use among Brit 15-year-olds was also “above average”.

Dr Candace Currie, who organised the health behaviour study at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It highlights areas of concern, such as pressure at school and relationships with parents.”

Worry ... drunk teen

Worry ... drunk teen

How did she get drunk? All the bottles and cans are unopened

very good point!, this was the picture that came with the article.... stupid photographer!

This is a link to the originating report WHO/Europe/HBSC A brief look suggests considerable spin in the presentation, non open bottles aside. The question to which the figure relate is Thirteen year olds who have been drunk at least twice, however the answer for the question 11 year olds who have been drunk at least twice is somewhat different:-

Russian Federation F 6 M 8

Bulgaria F 4 M 9

Ukraine F 4 M 8

Wales F 4 M 8

Latvia f 3 M 8

and at 15 {Question to 15 year olds if they have been drunk 13YO up}

Estonia F 21 M 35

Lithuania F 19 M 29

Austria F 22 M 26

England F 24 M 23

Wales F 21 M 25

Regards

very good point!, this was the picture that came with the article.... stupid photographer!

That photo is a set up. They couldn't find a drunk teen so had to contrive one!

Oh yeah, champagne bottles - posh drunk teen!

Ok, so when was the first time you were truly bladdered? The very first time that you thought "Oh God, never again."

Me? A callow youth of 14 on a school-trip to Heidelberg. Became aquainted with vodka in a big way. We were tagging-along with some of the sixth-formers who were supposed to be looking after us. I still can't remember getting back to the hotel but I do remember just getting to the loo in time. Hmm, didn't go down to breakfast as I was a little fragile. I'm glad to report that it didn't put me off alchohol; just made me better at reading the warning signs. I think Winston Churchill said something along the lines of "I've taken far more from alchohol than it has taken from me". I'll drink to that!

haha, good reply to the thread

my first time was at a neigbours family do in the village hall back in England

they had left all the booze out for display, including 30 Bottles of 12 % Wine! Kids being Kids, ( i was 12 at the Time ), we thought it would be a great idea to take 5 bottles of this wine for ourselfs, without knowing the true meaning of alchol, me and 2 mates drank the lot!,

to cut a long story short, we where all very drunk.. and we where picked up by the local police and escorted home, but on arrival to home, all the parents where drunk as well!!!, luckily this was long before the UK PC brigade came to effect, or i may of been put into care

Boater

Excellent twist to this thread. My first time to be 'really' drunk was at about 14. We (a group of 5 of us) drank a bottle of teachers whisky, a bottle of southern comfort (have not consumed it since) and a bottle of navy rum - that's a lot for 5 kids! We ran out of mixer and drank it mixed with water. We were also smoking a few joints. A mate of mine was staying in my house and when we got home we were rumbled by my mum. She just said "Go to bed and I'll deal with you in the morning!" In the morning I tried to play it all cool and act as if nothing had happened. Didn't work though!