CIGARETTES, ALCOHOL TOP DRUG SURVEY

Alcohol and tobacco are among the highest recreational drugs used by teens
in the four school districts in the Kootenay-Boundary.

A drug and alcohol survey was prepared by IHA and Freedom Quest Regional
Youth Services and was completed by 4,071 students from Grade 7 to 12 - 73
per cent of the total student population completed the survey.

The final report states alcohol was the most used at 64.1 per cent of
those surveyed, tobacco came second at 62.3 per cent, marijuana was third
at 39.1 per cent, mushrooms were 15.5 per cent and ecstasy at 7.4 percent.

"Most of the hard substances were used on average of 1-3 times which would
be indicative of experimental use," stated the overview of the survey
report.

An alarming statistic is the age at which teens are first trying drugs -
between 13-14, with the exception of cocaine and ecstasy with an average
age of first use being 15.

Jean Borsa, School District 20 superintendent, said staff were surprised
in some areas and disappointed in others.

"The surprising part was the myth that kids who are not connected with
parents or connected with school are the ones who tend to fall into
substance abuse more often has been completely dispelled," she said.

The survey shows a majority, 62.3 per cent, reported feeling very close to
their families, 65.5 percent of adolescents reported to reside with both
birth parents and 50.2 per cent reported feeling somewhat involved with
their school.

"The good thing we found is that close to 85 per cent of our students know
where to go for help if they need it. That's good, it means all that we're
teaching is getting through in that sense," she said.

Borsa said the high use of alcohol, as well as other drugs, is distressing
because the bulk of the use happens on weekends and holidays when the
students are not in school.

"What's frustrating is the bulk of the use happens outside of school where
school has no control over the kids. A frustrating part for the school
district is there are many parents who are OK with dropping their kids off
at bush parties and getting them booze to take there, especially around
graduation time.

"That's really frustrating if parents are indicating to their kids it's
OK, no wonder our alcohol use is so high," she said.

"Parents need to know where their kids are and what they are doing," Borsa
added.

"There is also a perception by parents that if (teens) are drinking then
they're not into other things. I think parents may not be aware that if
they tend to drink they are more likely to get into other things, that's
where the other substance abuse gets around," she said.

Borsa said the district will continue to share information and use
whatever programs are available that seem to be accepted to try to curb
alcohol and drug use.

"We need to get to the kids in Grade 6 and 7 in a manner that is going to
impact them."

Borsa said the no-tobacco in the schools does not curb tobacco use.

"When the students were on school property the school could enforce that
no kids in the younger grades could go to the smoke pit. Now that they're
off school property nothing can be enforced about who is smoking with whom
and what outsiders can join the group," she said.

Borsa believes the schools can continue providing information to the kids
about the harms of drugs, but she believes they have already done that and
it has not curbed drug use.

"We can continue providing information, but there is a double-edged sword.
If you provide the information at too young an age maybe they know too
much and get involved (when they otherwise wouldn't have). It works for
some and not for others," she said.

The district will continue to do what is effective, Borsa said, but they
need parents to be aware of what is happening with their children.