London kids and happiness

Polly Curtis on a new survey of children's happiness:

The study provides evidence that perceptions of London teenagers' lives as blighted by drug abuse are misplaced. London boroughs score consistently lowest for drug and alcohol use among teenagers.

Inner-London's score, derived from children's responses to questions on how often they used drugs or drunk alcohol, is 6.1 compared with 10.9 nationally (a lower score is better). The north-east and north-west have the highest levels of substance abuse. St Helens in the north-west has the worst problem in the country, scoring 17.7. Children in leafy London suburbs are more likely to take drugs and drink than those in inner-city boroughs.

However:

Children in the north of England report higher levels of happiness and wellbeing based on the quality and quantity of their friendships...Inner London authorities in comparison score consistently below the national average, suggesting that the alienation associated with life in a big city could be setting in early.

Now read on.