HALTON EYES MARIJUANA PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

A worrying number of Halton teenagers are regularly smoking pot.

A recent Halton Youth Study reveals that one-quarter of Grade 10
students across the region are regular pot users.

As a result, cannabis use among youth remains a public health concern,
concludes a report being presented Tuesday to Halton's health and
social services committee.

While Halton's cannabis use among youth mirrors provincial levels, the
fact that its usage remains so prevalent still makes it a concern,
said Joyce See, director of the region's community health services.

Last April, the committee asked staff to take a closer look at
cannabis use among youth and to determine if there is merit in a
program to discourage its use.

"It is not a harmless substance that gives you a casual high," See
said, adding that cannabis-impaired driving among youth remains a key
concern.

See said one particularly worrisome aspect of the issue is the level
of the active ingredient THC. It is naturally found in cannabis in
concentrations ranging from 0.5 to three per cent. But the report
reveals various methods of cultivation, including hydroponic
production and genetic engineering of plants, have increased the
concentration levels to anywhere from six per cent to 30 per cent.

Public health officials met with a number of community partners, such
as the Halton Catholic District School Board, Halton Regional Police
Service and Big Brothers and Sisters of Halton last September to study
the problem.

Several themes emerged:

Cannabis has a social acceptability among youth.

This local perspective is backed up by a 2009 Ontario Student Drug Use
and Health Survey which found that only 28 per cent of youth "strongly
disapprove" of marijuana use. That compares with 52 per cent who
expressed strong concerns about ecstasy use.

Cannabis has a social acceptability among some parents.

"Some parents have a tolerance for cannabis use and seem relieved to
find out their children are using `just' marijuana."

Cannabis is readily available to youth.

The Halton Youth Survey (2006) found that 48 per cent of Grade 10
students say it is "somewhat easy" or "very easy" to obtain cannabis.

Cannabis is accessible.

The Halton report stated that cannabis is relatively inexpensive to
buy.