A new opinion poll shows that just under 50% of Ireland's 'thirty somethings' have experimented with some form of drugs.

The finding is contained in a survey of 1,000 people aged between 30 and 39, carried out for Today FM and the Irish and Sunday Independent.

The first part of the findings from the online poll last month, by market researchers Behaviour and Attitudes, released today focuses on morality issues.

The 'Ireland's Thirty Somethings - Living on the Edge' survey found that just under 50% of 30 somethings say they have dabbled at least once with soft drugs such as marijuana.

The figure is much lower for harder drugs, like heroin and cocaine, at 14%.