A research in Auckland University shows the idea that there are more teens engaging in drug abuse and sex today is only an "urban myth."

However, today's young people are facing a different set of serious issues and web of problems, including poverty, violence and alcohol, Fairfax NZ News reports.

"Our research shows these urban myths are just plain wrong, but there are serious issues affecting our young people that we need to address," Dr Simon Denny of Auckland University said.

The university conducted Youth Health and Wellbeing Surveys in 2000 and 2007, and the results will be presented at Te Papa today (Wednesday). Both surveys involved 10,000 pupils aged 13 to 18 different secondary schools randomly chosen by the researchers.

Over a hundred and youth-care professionals will convene to look into the findings.

Findings in the 2007 survey indicated most young people were of good mental health, which hinted there was no widespread drug abuse, according to Dr Denny.

The surveys showed less students used marijuana in 2007, with figures dropping from 39 per cent in 2001 to 27 per cent.

Meanwhile, about a third of the survey respondents reported having sexual intercourse. This figure is unchanged from 2001, implying there was no notable increase in young people's sexual activity today.

The surveys also noted that almost half the males and a third of the females had experienced sexual assault in the previous 12 months. It is not yet clear whether this part of the findings will be discussed at length in the convention.