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November 16, 1998
(Health and Community Services)


Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, today released the results of two student drug use surveys as a way to kick off Addictions Awareness Week in the province. The second Newfoundland and Labrador Student Drug Use Survey (SDUS) sampled 3,787 students in grades 7, 9, and levels I and III. The students who participated represented the six community health regions of the province. The Student Path Analytic Survey (SPAS) by Memorial University's Psychology Department, in collaboration with Health and Community Services Regional and Integrated Boards and the Department of Health and Community Services, sampled students in grades 8 and level II.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Student Drug Use Survey, which was done in partnership with the other three Atlantic provinces, showed that the percentage of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug, free students has remained relatively the same since 1996 at 35 per cent. The findings of this survey, which were comparable with the results of student drug use surveys in the other Atlantic provinces also showed an increase in the proportion of students who are combining drugs like alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.

The minister said the Newfoundland and Labrador Student Drug Use Survey will be repeated again in 2001. "The results of these surveys give us the baseline information we need to better meet the needs of our youth," said the minister. "The direction of this government's Strategic Social Plan, including the integration of services for children and families through the Department of Health and Community Services, is based on prevention and early intervention. Therefore, I'm hopeful we will see these numbers reduced in the next survey because this is a community issue that must be addressed in the spirit of partnership." The minister said a Provincial Tobacco Strategy will be developed with the involvement of all stakeholder groups and a primary target of this strategy will be youth. She added that the new youth networks which will be established in this province under the National Child Benefit may also help in the future reduce the numbers of students who use alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and who gamble.

The Student Path Analytic Survey suggests that the most important predictors of alcohol use are the extent that alcohol is used by peers and the student's own preference and norms. Other important factors in predicting alcohol use include the amount of leisure time available, which seems to predict more alcohol consumption, while greater church related activities appear to be a possible inhibitor of alcohol consumption.

Dr. Robert Adamec of Memorial's Psychology Department said: "This study is not just an academic exercise. By using this statistical analysis we can go on to develop effective interventions." The path analysis survey is Phase 1 of a two-part report and research is ongoing. The minister said copies of the SDUS would be distributed to all schools, district school board offices, the Department of Education, the RNC and RCMP, the 13 Addictions Services offices across the province, the six Community Health Regional and Integrated Boards, the other three Atlantic provinces and numerous other youth related organizations, agencies, and community groups.

Contact:

Glenn Bruce
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
(709) 729-1377

Dr. Robert Adamec
Psychology Department
Memorial University
(709) 737-7671

1998 11 16 4:25 p.m.


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