B.C. LEADS CANADA IN POT USE IN 2003

16.8% of B.C.ers, 14.1% of Canadians

Canada is going to pot and B.C. is leading the way.

The number of dope smokers and illicit drug users in Canada doubled in
the past decade, according to a national Canadian Addiction Survey
released yesterday.

It found that 44.5 per cent of Canadians polled had used cannabis in
their lifetime, compared to 52.1 per cent in B.C.

It also found that 16.8 per cent of British Columbians had tried
cannabis in the past year, compared to 14.1 per cent nationally.

The report also said British Columbians are out in front nationally in
their use of hard drugs such as cocaine, as well as for use of speed,
ecstasy, hallucinogens and inhalants.

"It's always a concern when you're leading a trend that you might not
want to lead," said Dan Reist of the Centre for Addictions Research of
B.C., which helped fund the research.

"Any time you see potential trends for increasing consumption, we
should be concerned."

He noted that illnesses related to the use of tobacco, alcohol and
illicit substances are responsible for almost a quarter of B.C.'s
health-care costs.

B.C. Addictions Services Minister Brenda Locke suggested the findings
are typical for the whole West Coast of North America, not just B.C.

"We do a lot of work, but we can always do more," she
said.

Locke said any marijuana use is too much.

"I'm a mother," she said. "I've got a 14-year-old and a 20-year-old.
To me, any pot use is not OK. In terms of the ministry, our concern is
around the use of any drug."

The survey sampled about 14,000 Canadians by phone between last
December and April. In each province, a minimum 1,000 people were surveyed.

It found that nearly one in four Canadians who drink is exceeding
guidelines for "low-risk" drinking, and 17 per cent are engaging in
such hazardous drinking they are at risk of developing an alcohol problem.

Among drinkers surveyed, more than six per cent reported heavy
drinking (five or more drinks on a single occasion for men, and four
or more for women) at least once a week in the previous 12 months.

Nearly 26 per cent reported this pattern of drinking at least once a
month, with men, single people and those aged 18 to 24 most likely to
be heavy drinkers.

Nearly nine per cent of women, 25 per cent of men and more than 30 per
cent of youth under 25 were identified as high-risk drinkers --
drinking six or more drinks at a time and not being able to stop once
they start.

Dr. John Blatherwick, chief medical officer of health for the
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, said alcohol presents a bigger
challenge than any of the other drugs.

"The No. 1 drug in Canada is alcohol," said Blatherwick. "It has
always been our major problem even though [illicit] drugs get all the
attention."

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MARIJUANA SURVEY

- -44.5 per cent of Canadians surveyed reported they had used cannabis
at some point in their lives, compared to 52.1 per cent of British
Columbians.

- -Nationally, 14.1 per cent said they had used pot at least once in the
past year. The B.C. figure was 16.8 per cent.

- -Nationally, 10.6 per cent said they'd used cocaine/crack in their
lifetime. The B.C. figure was 16.3 per cent.

- -Nationally, 11.4 per cent said they'd used hallucinogens at least
once in their life. The B.C. figure was 16.5.

- -Nationally, 4.1 per cent said they'd used ecstasy compared to 6.5 per
cent in B.C.

- -8.8 per cent of Canadians reported "alcohol harm" to themselves in
the past year. In B.C., the figure was 9.1 per cent.