CASH COMMITTED TO NIP DRUG USE IN THE BUD

Health Canada is betting almost half a million dollars Niagara's
young people are their own best weapon against drug and alcohol abuse.

St. Catharines Conservative MP Rick Dykstra announced more than
$450,000 for the Niagara Youth Drug Strategy Tuesday.

A host of local agencies combined to add another $487,000 to the
three-year effort, which is meant to cut alcohol and drug abuse
among Niagara's young people.

Youths themselves can be a big part of the solution, said Stephanie
Clark, the new strategy co-ordinator hired to establish "youth-led"
substance-abuse prevention efforts in local high schools.

"I'm here to build relationships with young people and support their
efforts," said Clark, who as part of her job will train at least 60
high school students to become "prevention leaders" in regional high schools.

Teens and young adults have a lot to offer their peers when it comes
to education on drugs and alcohol, she said. "The key is to offer
them the support and guidance they need -- and to have the resources
to do it."

The group fronting the strategy, the Niagara Drug Awareness
Committee, has "constantly struggled" to come up with the money
needed for a community strategy, committee chairwoman Janet Zanutto said.

The federal cash allows stable funding for a staff person -- Clark
- -- and resources for school and community groups creating their own
substance-abuse programs, Zanutto added.

Clark hopes to have student-organized drug and alcohol awareness
groups running in at least a third of regional high schools within
the next year.

Such groups tend to start up regularly, then "fizzle out" quickly,
Clark said. Part of her job is to provide year-long support to keep
students motivated.

Clark will also try to bring different community and school
organizations together to share experiences, such as agencies that
help recovering drug users get back on their feet.

"One of the most moving things I've seen is (students) talking to
other young people facing a lot more risk," she said.

Education for students and parents is still necessary, she said.

In 2006, a community survey of Niagara students in grades 10 to 12
showed 41 per cent of those surveyed reported using marijuana at
least once in the past year, while 86 per cent reported drinking alcohol.

To aid the strategy, more Niagara-specific student surveying will be
done by the province this fall, she added.

The committee is still working on its website. If you're looking for
more information about the strategy in the meantime, call Clark at
905- 220-5203.

Youth drug use

From the 2007 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey of youths
in grades 7 to 12 across the province:

61 per cent reported using alcohol at least once in the past year;

almost 26 per cent reported using marijuana at least once in the past year;

almost 21 per cent reported using pain relievers for non-medical
purposes at least once in the past year. From the 2006 Youth
Lifestyles Choices of Niagara students in grades 10 to 12:

almost 71 per cent reported illegal drugs were available sometimes,
often, almost always or always;

72 per cent of teens report the same for alcohol;

41 per cent reported using marijuana at lease once in the past year;

86 per cent reported consuming more than a sip or two of alcohol in
the past year.