ALMOST half of 15-year-olds in Britain who have been offered drugs claim the offer took place at school, according to research published today.

Just under a quarter of children this age said they taken drugs, with 94% having tried cannabis, 14% speed and 13% cocaine.

The survey among teenagers also highlights other concerns, with 62% of those questioned admitting they had been drunk, and 24% having had sex by the age of 15.

However, 40% of those who had sex regretted it afterwards, with the top reason being because they thought they were "too young" or "not ready".

The survey was carried out among 5,000 young people aged 12 to 18 by teenage magazine Bliss, which claims it is the most comprehensive work of its kind.

Among 14 and 15-year-olds - who made up the vast majority of the poll - 44% said they had been offered drugs. Of those, 46% claim the offer took place at school, 45% at a friend's house and 39% on the street.

Among other results, 84% thought the sentencing of criminals was "too soft", 79% were in favour of sending bogus asylum seekers back to the country they came from, and 78% backed the idea of identity cards.

In a sign that British youngsters feel staunchly patriotic, 70% thought the country "would be lost" if it went further down the European path, and 87% were opposed to the UK joining the euro.

The prospect of tuition fees would put almost one in eight of the 15-year-olds off going to university, according to the survey.

On the question of Iraq, 76% thought Britain was wrong to go to war and 82% "don't trust" the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Helen Johnston, editor of Bliss, said, "This survey is a damning indictment of the damage caused by the lax attitudes of adults inflicted on children.

"Young people have passionate beliefs about the society they want to live in and it's not the one they've got.

"They want a society they can trust, one that cares about their welfare and can bring about the higher standards they demand."

The survey was conducted last month through a questionnaire in the magazine and on-line.