More Young People Popping Sleeping Pills

The use of sleeping tablets in young people in Sweden has gone up markedly, reports Sveriges Radio P3.

Figures from Swedish pharmacy Apoteket show that the number of people between 15 to 34 who are prescribed drugs to help them sleep has risen by 71 percent since 2000.

Often the medication is given to those suffering from depression, sometimes brought on by bullying or pressures at school.

Researchers say that a combination of doctors being more inclined to prescribe the medicines and poor sleepers in this age group are the main causes for the rise.