Pubdate: Wed, 12 Aug 2009 Source: Standard, The (St. Catharines, CN ON) Copyright: 2009 The Standard Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/ro9MVsol Website: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/676 Author: Matthew Van Dongen CASH COMMITTED TO NIP DRUG USE IN THE BUD Health Canada is betting almost half a million dollars Niagara's young people are their own best weapon against drug and alcohol abuse. St. Catharines Conservative MP Rick Dykstra announced more than $450,000 for the Niagara Youth Drug Strategy Tuesday. A host of local agencies combined to add another $487,000 to the three-year effort, which is meant to cut alcohol and drug abuse among Niagara's young people. Youths themselves can be a big part of the solution, said Stephanie Clark, the new strategy co-ordinator hired to establish "youth-led" substance-abuse prevention efforts in local high schools. "I'm here to build relationships with young people and support their efforts," said Clark, who as part of her job will train at least 60 high school students to become "prevention leaders" in regional high schools. Teens and young adults have a lot to offer their peers when it comes to education on drugs and alcohol, she said. "The key is to offer them the support and guidance they need -- and to have the resources to do it." The group fronting the strategy, the Niagara Drug Awareness Committee, has "constantly struggled" to come up with the money needed for a community strategy, committee chairwoman Janet Zanutto said. The federal cash allows stable funding for a staff person -- Clark - -- and resources for school and community groups creating their own substance-abuse programs, Zanutto added. Clark hopes to have student-organized drug and alcohol awareness groups running in at least a third of regional high schools within the next year. Such groups tend to start up regularly, then "fizzle out" quickly, Clark said. Part of her job is to provide year-long support to keep students motivated. Clark will also try to bring different community and school organizations together to share experiences, such as agencies that help recovering drug users get back on their feet. "One of the most moving things I've seen is (students) talking to other young people facing a lot more risk," she said. Education for students and parents is still necessary, she said. In 2006, a community survey of Niagara students in grades 10 to 12 showed 41 per cent of those surveyed reported using marijuana at least once in the past year, while 86 per cent reported drinking alcohol. To aid the strategy, more Niagara-specific student surveying will be done by the province this fall, she added. The committee is still working on its website. If you're looking for more information about the strategy in the meantime, call Clark at 905- 220-5203. - - - - Youth drug use From the 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey of youths in grades 7 to 12 across the province: 61 per cent reported using alcohol at least once in the past year; almost 26 per cent reported using marijuana at least once in the past year; almost 21 per cent reported using pain relievers for non-medical purposes at least once in the past year. From the 2006 Youth Lifestyles Choices of Niagara students in grades 10 to 12: almost 71 per cent reported illegal drugs were available sometimes, often, almost always or always; 72 per cent of teens report the same for alcohol; 41 per cent reported using marijuana at lease once in the past year; 86 per cent reported consuming more than a sip or two of alcohol in the past year. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart