Children as young as seven have experimented with drugs and alcohol, according to the results of a survey released yesterday.According to the “Report of the Survey of Student’s Knowledge and Attitudes of Drugs and Health 2012”, one third of Primary 5, Primary 6 and Middle 1 students had tried drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.Some students admitted trying alcohol at the age of six and marijuana at seven.A total of 1,106 students aged between nine and 11-years-old participated in the survey, representing 23 public, two private and five home schools.The report said 279 of the students surveyed (25.2 percent) admitted trying alcohol, while 38 students (3.4 percent) said they currently use alcohol.A total of 169 students (15.3 percent) reported trying inhalants, while 41 students (3.7 percent) saying they currently use them.Marijuana and cigarette use was less common, with 3.4 percent saying they had tried marijuana and 3.1 percent saying they had tried cigarettes.Students who had experimented with the drugs on average tried inhalants at 7.6-years-old, cigarettes at 7.7-years-old, alcohol at 7.8-years-old and marijuana at 8.3 years old.The report concludes: “The survey results demonstrated the need for more education with students at an earlier age than traditionally provided.“Simultaneously, parents/guardians should also receive information on substances used by young people, the associated dangers with use, and the parents’/ guardians’ role in prevention of problem substance use.”Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said the survey was intended to gain information not only about the prevalence of drug use among the Island’s students, but understand what they know or think about drugs.“The National School Survey of 2011 (of Middle and Senior School students on Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drugs, and Health), provided data to suggest that young people in Bermuda may be experimenting with alcohol and drugs at an earlier age than previously suspected, in some cases as low as nine years old,” Mr Dunkley said.“Given the results of that study, the 2012 survey was specifically designed to determine prevalence and frequency of drug use, assess knowledge and awareness of drugs, assess reasons for drug use, determine the level of access to drugs and to assess young persons’ perceptions of use.”The Minister noted that the majority of students, 93.3 percent, agreed that if they were given drugs they would tell a teacher or a parent, and 89.7 percent said they would tell parents or teachers if a friend gave them drugs.He also said the vast majority of students were aware that marijuana and cocaine are illegal, while alcohol and cigarettes are legal for adults, but that he was concerned that the students were not always aware what drinks contain alcohol.“Three of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Bermuda are Twisted Tea, Breezers and Smirnoff Ice. However they were selected by more than half of students as drinks that did not have alcohol,” Mr Dunkley said.“This shows that collectively, we need to do more in alcohol awareness education in order for our children to develop healthy attitudes toward alcohol as they grow and eventually reach the age of legality.”Overall, Mr Dunkley said: “While there are some areas of concern, I am encouraged that our children, for the most part, have not reported to be regularly using harmful, illegal substances.“With the continued guidance of parents, family, teachers and public awareness campaigns, I am confident that our students can be lead on a path that continues them away from harmful alcohol and drug abuse habits.”