ALCOHOL SUBSTANCE OF CHOICE FOR TEENS

High School Students Tell Regional Committee About The Realities Of
Drug Use In Halton

Alcohol and marijuana are the most common substances being used by
Halton teens, according to local students.

A group of high school pupils from both north and south Halton told
the region's health and social services committee recently about the
realities of teen drug use.

Oakville Grade 12 student Kayla Bulatovich said even though there are
a lot of drugs available, alcohol and marijuana are the biggest
problems in local schools.

"Binge drinking is a normal thing for kids," she said. "We need to
reduce the risks associated with drinking by educating youth about
safe partying." She noted there are also a lot of myths about
marijuana, including it's not addictive or harmful.

"Students are making decisions based on misinformation," she told the
committee.

Bulatovich believes that painkillers are becoming a new trend in
student drug use, while other drugs like Ecstasy, Ketamine and
cocaine continue to be a concern.

Fellow Grade 12 Oakville student Lindsay Boyce spoke about how easy
it is for Halton youths to obtain drugs.

"Kids in Halton have lots of money from part-time jobs or parents,"
she said. "And drugs aren't that expensive. A joint is $5, a tab of E
(Ecstasy) is $5, and if you buy more from a dealer the price comes down."

She also suggested some youths are getting drugs at home from their
parents or siblings.

Teens are turning to drugs for a variety of reasons, said Grade 12
Oakville student Bianca Nagy, including for fun, to fit in with a
certain group, become more confident and because they don't think
anything bad will happen.

"They don't know the consequences or the long-term effects," she
said. So what's the answer to help steer youths away from drugs?

Grade 11 Georgetown student Marc Stiel said schools need to find ways
to keep youth involved, while parents need to strike a balance
between being strict and accepting.

Region staff presented a report to the committee with results from
the 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey and the previously released
results from the 2006 Halton Youth Survey.

The report backed up the information presented by the students --
that alcohol continues to be the substance of choice for most
students in Grades 7 to 12, followed by cannabis.

The Ontario survey also revealed that there's been a decrease in the
use of cigarettes, methamphetamine, crack and steroids across the province.

The committee received the report for information purposes.