SURVEY INDICATES TEEN DRUG USE DECLINING -- EXCEPT FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

CRANBROOK - A survey indicates that with the exception of alcohol, drug use
is declining among East Kootenay teenagers.

The survey was conducted Feb. 21-28 of this year.

Students from Grade 7 to 12 were asked to anonymously fill out the survey.
Of the 5,981 surveys sent out, 4,786 were completed, with 77 considered
spoiled.

"I was surprised that in every drug, except for steroids, more girls than
boys have tried [them]," said Dean Nicholson, administrator for the East
Kootenay Addictions Services Society, which conducted the survey.

"I used to think that boys were more apt to try new drugs."

Although the girls are more likely to try the drugs, boys have a greater
overall consumption.