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A fifth of teenagers admit they would be influenced by peer pressure to experiment with drugs, according to new research.

The survey of over 1,000 teenagers, commissioned by the government’s national drugs information campaign FRANK, finds younger teenagers are the most susceptible to pressure from friends.

Almost a quarter of 12- to 13-year-olds said they would accept a drug they had never tried before from a friend, compared to 31 per cent of 17- to18-year-olds. Younger teenagers were also more likely to feel uncomfortable refusing friends’ offers of drugs compared to older teenagers.

The findings were published to coincide with the launch of a new advertising campaign, targeted at vulnerable young people who want help to resist drugs.

The campaign will also see peer-to-peer work carried out in 30 areas across the country to raise awareness of the dangers of drug taking.