LINK BETWEEN AFFLUENCE, TEENS' DRUG USE UNCLEAR

Halton's medical officer of health says the link between youth drug use and
family income is a complex matter but may be a key question in the wake of
a recent survey in the affluent region. "You could pose six different
research questions there (and) we acknowledge these are important," Bob
Nosal said. "Socio-economic status has a role but to simplify it is a problem."

Nosal helped conduct the Halton region's first student drug use survey. The
study was conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health -- the
largest facility of its kind in Canada. Its scope was impressive: about
3,000 students in Grade 7 to OAC at 22 schools completed the lengthy
questionnaire.

The survey found that the area's students are 2 per cent above the Ontario
average when it comes to alcohol use, 1 per cent below provincial tobacco
figures and 3 per cent below the Ontario rate for marijuana use.

But we should also ask: What factors tend to influence a student's decision
to use drugs?

Well, the Halton survey found that drug use increased as students grew
older. The difference across the sexes, however, was only significant when
it came to pot smoking: male students were much more likely to light up.

And how about wealth as a factor in youth drug use in Halton?

According to 1997 tax returns, an average Halton family brings in $72,300.
This puts the region 51.3 per cent above the national average and 36.2 per
cent above the provincial average.

In the 122-question survey, students were asked how large a weekly
allowance they receive and how they would rate their family's financial
situation relative to the 'average' family. The answers for these questions
were not cross-referenced for drug use.

Most experts agree, however, that drug use cuts across all segments of society.

"Drug use is endemic," said Dennis Long, director of Toronto's Breakaway
addiction centre. "People will usually sort themselves out (and) define
themselves in their high school culture."

The possible link between family incomes and drug use is a bit harder to
get a grip on, Long added.

"Lower income kids may use more things like solvents and crack while higher
income kids may be able to afford other drugs and have access to them."