CHEERS! ALCOHOL UP, DRUGS DROP

British Columbians' consumption of alcohol is up, while marijuana and
crystal meth use is down, say researchers at the University of
Victoria Centre for Addictions Research.

Researchers from five B.C. universities and the McCreary Centre
Society are participating in the B.C. Alcohol and Other Drug
Monitoring Project, which draws on data from police and emergency
departments, Health Canada surveys and Statistics Canada, among other
sources.

They announced yesterday that British Columbians' alcohol consumption
has risen 16 per cent since 1998, almost twice the nine per cent
increase seen in the rest of Canada, leading to a 17 per cent increase
in the number of people hospitalized because of alcohol.

While use of marijuana and crystal meth (methamphetamine) is down, use
of crack cocaine, ecstasy and prescription medication is up.

Teens are drinking and smoking less, although the report found that
young people are now more likely to smoke marijuana than tobacco. Even
teen marijuana use has dropped, however.

Dr. Tim Stockwell, director at the Centre for Addictions Research,
said tobacco continues to be the most dangerous substance, with
tobacco-related deaths outpacing others.

The report showed geographic variations in drug use. Stockwell said.
"For example, respondents in Vancouver were significantly more likely
to have used crack, heroin, crystal meth and mushrooms, while those in
Victoria were more likely to have used amphetamine."

The alcohol and drugmonitoring project is funded by health authorities
across the province, and the Ministry of Health.