November 20, 1996
(Health)

Student Drug Use Survey released

Health Minister Lloyd Matthews today released the results of a survey undertaken to determine the extent of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by adolescents. "This is a shared concern among addictions specialists, health educators, teachers, students, parents, law enforcement officials and others in the community," said the minister.

Recently, all four Atlantic provinces collaborated in researching this problem through a comprehensive survey to monitor drug use among youth. Today, to coincide with Drug Awareness Week activities, the results of that survey are being distributed throughout Atlantic Canada.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, more than 3,500 students representing all regions of the province participated in the survey. In May of this year, more than 100 schools throughout the province administered the survey to classes of grades 7, 9, 10 and 12.

Survey results show that alcohol and tobacco and cannabis are the most commonly used drugs by Newfoundland and Labrador students, all of which are illegal substances for youth under the age of 19 years. More than half of the respondents reported having consumed alcohol in the past year, close to 37 per cent reported having smoked cigarettes in the past year and nearly one quarter of students said they had used cannabis. The survey also showed a significant number of adolescents experimented with other illicit substances.

"While the results of the Newfoundland and Labrador sample are comparable to survey results in the other Atlantic provinces, they are not satisfactory," said the minister. "The results point to the need for further study and evaluation in collaboration with all stakeholders.

"This is the first time we have collected provincial data on this specific problem. We can now come to a better understanding of the complexity and prevalence of drug use among youth. While it is important to collect statistics on the numbers of young people experimenting with drugs, we also need to be aware of the reasons why young people experiment with drugs, what kinds of patterns emerge and what other at risk behaviours are attributed to drug and alcohol use. This survey will provide the basis for evaluating health education programs and developing and promoting new prevention programs for students," added Mr. Matthews.

The survey will serve as a tool to monitor drug use on an ongoing basis. This will determine if there are trends in different regions and among different age groups. It will serve as an important basis for evaluating prevention and education programs and working with various organizations in devising new prevention strategies.

The minister thanked all those who participated in developing, administering and analysing the survey. "It is our intention to confront this serious health and social problem in partnership with the community," he said.

For further information or to obtain copies of the report contact: Jill Sooley, Department of Health, (709) 729-1377.