More than a third of Dundee 13-year-olds in a survey reported experience of being “really drunk”.
The research shows that 37% of them have been heavily intoxicated a figure that has remained unchanged for three years, despite local and national campaigns.
Among 15-year-olds, a startling 58% have reported being “really drunk” in 2014, while 21% of them admit to using illegal drugs.
The worrying figures were released as part of the city council’s education department’s annual review.
Health expert and local councillor Lesley Brennan branded the figures “shocking”.
She told The Courier: “It is a huge figure to think that over a third of 13-year-olds are getting drunk is terrifying.
“At the age, the consequences of getting drunk do not just extend to damaging your health, but could also end up with youngsters getting hurt or ending up in A&E.
“It is shocking,” she added.
Mrs Brennan, who also sits on the council’s licensing board, said she felt the city’s strong stance on alcohol sales will have a trickle-down effect for youngsters.
“We have taken a strong stance on the licensing board with regard the over-provision of alcohol in the city. Adults need to set an example for young people in the city,” she said.
“There has been education in schools and classrooms, but parents also need to take responsibility and teach their children what is appropriate behaviour.”
So-called legal highs could also be responsible for the number of under-16s taking illegal drugs, Mrs Brennan added.
As well as 21% of 15-year-olds reporting having tried drugs, 10% said they had done so in the last month, while 6% of 13-year-olds also admitted to having tried illicit substances.
Mrs Brennan said: “Any 13-year-old trying drugs is quite shocking.
“It shows the danger of so-called legal highs or new psychoactive substances (NPS). People don’t even know what they are ingesting (when they take an NPS) they can be very damaging.”
The council’s education chief, Michael Wood, has promised action to ensure healthy living is a key component within schools.
In a report to councillors, he said the Health and Wellbeing Network is ongoing and attended by all secondary schools.
A pilot project, Healthy Living Zones, is also under way at Menzieshill High, he said, adding that plans are in the offing to help further tackle unhealthy behaviour amongst Dundee’s youngsters.