ALMOST 46per cent of Hume's young people have reported being bullied, a new government survey shows.
This was higher than the state average of 44.6per cent.
Many of the young people surveyed also admitted to trying alcohol, smoking and marijuana.
The findings are part of the state government's 2010 'adolescent community profiles', released by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
The survey provides a snapshot of teens' health and social issues for each of the 79 municipalities in Victoria.
The results show 48per cent of people aged 12-14 and 74per cent in the 15-17 group have consumed alcohol.
Among those aged 15 to 17, just over 38per cent said they had tried cigarettes, while almost 10per cent had tried marijuana and 8per cent had 'chromed' or sniffed glue.
The number of babies born to Hume's teenage mothers in the 15-19 age category was 12.1per cent, compared with the state's 10.6per cent.
In terms of learning, it was reported that 76per cent of Hume youth aged 19 had completed year 12 or equivalent, compared with the Victorian average of 79.8per cent.
Just over 19per cent of young people in Hume reported being victims of a reported crime; the state average is 17.5 per cent.
The survey found 75.6per cent of adolescents in Hume reported feeling safe in their neighbourhood (the Victorian average: 82.4 per cent).
Youth Projects chairwoman Melanie Raymond said the statistics confirmed long-standing trends in the organisation's own data.
"The area is one of entrenched disadvantage with high rates of jobless families, limited mobility, housing and jobs," she said.
"Earlier, broad interventions are urgently needed to empower young people to address the challenges faced. Youth Projects is not surprised by these statistics at all.
"We see young people dealing with these issues every day."
Higher Education and Skills Minister Peter Hall said the profile identified areas of strengths and weaknesses.
It included data from the Victorian Adolescent Health and Wellbeing survey of more than 10,000 students.
Hume Weekly 24 May 2011. See the article here
