CRC/C/15/Add.142 page 8 Adolescent health 39. The Committee expresses its concern regarding the rise in the number of children and youths using drugs, alcohol and tobacco, the increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases (SDTs) and HIV/AIDS among youth, and the growing use of abortion as a method of birth control. Further, it notes the limited availability of programmes and services in the area of adolescent health, including mental health, in particular treatment and rehabilitation programmes for alcohol and drug addiction. It also notes the lack of sufficient prevention and rehabilitation information, especially on reproductive health in the schools. 40. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts to promote adolescent health, including mental health policies, particularly with respect to alcohol consumption, substance abuse and reproductive health, and develop a programme for health education in schools. The Committee further suggests that a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study be undertaken to understand the scope of adolescent health problems, including the negative impact of STDs and HIV/AIDS, in order to be able to develop adequate policies and programmes. It is also recommended that the State party undertake further measures, including the allocation of adequate human and financial resources, to evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes in health education, in particular as regards reproductive health, and to develop youth-friendly counselling, care and rehabilitation facilities that are accessible, without parental consent when this is in the best interests of the child. Adequate standard of living 41. The Committee expresses its concern at the high proportion of families, in particular those with three or more children, living at the subsistence level and families threatened with eviction because of the effect of the transition to a market economy on the social welfare system as a whole. 42. In light of articles 3, 4, 6, 26 and 27 of the Convention, the Committee encourages the State party to take all appropriate measures to the maximum extent of its available resources, in particular at the local level, to support families in a difficult economic and/or social situation in order to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, the survival and development of all children living in Latvia. 6. Education, leisure and cultural activities Education 43. The Committee notes with concern the high number of children not attending compulsory primary school. Further, it expresses its concern at the fact that a number of schools in rural areas have been closed and that the quality of education provided in rural areas is inferior to that in urban areas.