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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D