Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jan 2014
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2014 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Referenced: Prince Edward Island Student Drug Use Report 2004-2011: 
http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/HH_studrug_13.pdf

STUDENT DRUG REPORT CONTAINS GOOD NEWS

The Prince Edward Island Student Drug Use Report released in late
December contains some encouraging data, especially that alcohol use
among youths has decreased significantly. The report, covering the
years 2004- 2011, also suggests there is a continued decline in
tobacco use while other drug uses remain consistent.

The report is a tool to provide the province with data on alcohol and
drug use among Island youths and helps shape the provincial strategy
on addictions and mental health.

The survey uses data from a youth smoking survey and outlines use and
trends involving tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drug use among
Island students in grades 6- 12.

There was the fear that if alcohol and tobacco use is declining among
youths, then marijuana and harder drug use might be increasing. The
report seems to debunk that theory.

Alcohol is the drug most widely used with 41.8 per cent of youths
having consumed booze in 2010- 2011, compared to 45.7 per cent in
2008- 2009. Tobacco use dropped to 7.7 per cent from 8.6 per cent in
the same time period.

Marijuana use stayed largely unchanged at 18.8 per cent and "other"
drug use was also consistent at 11.1 per cent.

Those numbers, while declining slightly or remaining consistent, are
still high and worrisome. Much work remains in educating students on
the dangers and issues with drug use.

As the report notes, drinkers, smokers and marijuana users are more
likely to experience lower self esteem issues and lower academic
achievement compared to non-substance users.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D